This article contains spoilers for Young Royals season three
Young Royals came to an end after three seasons this past Monday and solidified itself as one of my favorite final seasons of a show ever. The ending stands out because of the thought put into it. After all, Young Royals wasn’t canceled; the creators saw it ending in its third season from the start. Very few people know when to end a good thing. Even fewer know how to tie together their story’s loose ends to make a satisfying finale.
Don’t get me wrong. If we got to spend more than three seasons with these characters, I would be far from upset. But at the same time, season three gave me all the closure that I craved from the series, without leaving me desperate for more despite my love for it. If the show wasn’t already a must-watch, then it is now.
Tying in the Show’s Main Themes
One of the central themes running through Young Royals has been tradition vs revolution. The final season brought that theme to a climax, pushing the characters to make their final choices: either stay loyal to tradition or find their own happiness. The tension between tradition and revolution came to light in more ways than one. Hillerska’s downfall was the result of its own traditional values. The tension between Felice and her friends, as well as August and his friends, stemmed from their shift away from conformity and their attempt to call out the negativity that permeated Hillerska’s walls. Sara was forced to choose between August and the conventions that he represented, or her real friends and family. And, of course, both Simon and Wilhelm fought their own battles against the monarchy.
Where are the Characters now?
August
August was not the most likable character throughout the series. However, his character development in this last season was very interesting to watch. What I liked most about his storyline is that it didn’t end perfectly. It would have been easy to give August a full redemption arc, but instead, we only got to see the beginnings of his growth. What we saw most was his human side, his true fears and desires when he’s not succumbing to the pressure of the monarchy or his friend group.
One of the biggest revelations regarding August’s character was the initiation hazing he experienced at the hands of Wilhelm’s late brother, Erik, and the other seniors. His finally admitting to the trauma he faced as a result of Hillerska’s traditions triggers his gradual dissatisfaction with his friend group. It also triggers an apology to Wilhelm that was a long time coming. I thought the reconciliation between August and Wilhelm was realistic and paced well enough that it didn’t feel like a last-minute resolution to their storyline.
August’s love for Sara was another big thing pulling him away from the life he’s led before. But her rejection left him to deal with the consequences of his past actions and decide what his path would be in the future. In the final episode, we still saw August immersed in Hillerska’s way of life and interacting with the royal family. His ending was left somewhat open. With Wilhelm rejecting the crown, what will August’s place in the monarchy be and will he take it?
Felice
I was happy to see Felice get more character development this season as well. Felice’s storyline had a lot to do with figuring out who her real friends were. This was especially important given her falling out with Sara at the end of season two. We slowly saw Felice realize the differences between her and her friends. When Hillerska came under fire, she was one of the people interviewed about school life at the academy and one of the few who told the truth. This put her at odds with the other girls who wanted to save the school even if it meant compromising their own morals.
Felice grew a lot over three seasons. In season one, Felice would have been a lot more hesitant to oppose her friends and stand up for her values. But in season three, we saw her become a more confident, driven version of herself. When she decided to ditch the NYC trip to stay with Sara instead, she chose the people who love her for who she really is.
Sara
Sara struggled at the outset of the season. She was isolated from Felice, who was her only real friend, and from Simon, who was still angry with her. Her lack of a support system led her to seek out her dad which created an interesting arc for her character. She wanted her dad to step up and be the support that she needed. And he did for a while until he slipped up again and forgot to take her to her driving test. This was a pivotal moment for Sara and for her relationship with Simon. The incident drove her back home where she and Simon finally reconciled.
August was another problem that Sara had to sort out this season. Their relationship was the catalyst for her falling out with both Felice and Simon. And though she still liked him, she had to decide what was more important to her. Sara’s character has always felt like one that seeks out validation from those around her. She has been isolated many times so it’s only natural that she would cling to a relationship that made her feel less so. This is why her rejecting August once and for all was vital for her. Just like Felice, Sara was able to stop seeking validation from people who didn’t understand her fully and realize that she already had a strong support system waiting to catch her, flaws and all.
Simon
Simon was caught between two worlds from episode one. Since his and Wilhelm’s relationship became public, he was put under immense scrutiny. He had to walk on eggshells as every action was now a reflection of Wilhelm and his family. This created tension between the two. Simon didn’t want to have to change himself for anyone’s sake. And he didn’t like how easily Wilhelm succumbed to his family’s rules.
The spotlight put on Simon encroached even further into his personal life. His family was put in danger, so much so that Wilhelm had to send guards to Simon’s house. It’s no wonder Simon struggled to see a future for him and Wilhelm. They had always had clear differences, stemming from their very different lifestyles, but they had never been so obvious before. Simon’s real problem was with the monarchy and what it represented, not with Wilhelm. He saw a future for them outside of the constraints of royal life.
Wilhelm
Wilhelm’s struggle was a reflection of Simon’s in many ways. While Simon felt that Wilhelm didn’t want to take a stand against outdated traditions, Wilhelm felt that Simon couldn’t understand why that wasn’t possible. His whole life had been spent thinking that things were done a certain way and that there was no point trying to change them. And he thought Simon might be able to adjust, but it quickly became clear that he wouldn’t.
I think Wilhelm’s realization about Erik was a turning point for him. When he discovered Erik’s role in August’s initiation, his idealistic image of his brother was flipped on its head. He couldn’t continue remembering his brother as the perfect son anymore. He wasn’t even sure if his brother would have accepted him for who he was. Recognizing Erik’s flaws forced him to confront other ideals that he had come to accept, of his parents and the monarchy. All of this led to his explosion toward his parents in episode 5. This scene and the scenes in its aftermath were beautifully acted and brought a lot of hidden emotions to the forefront. Both Simon and Wilhelm were able to realize the extent of the pressure that Wilhelm was under. The ugly face of the monarchy was laid out and Wilhelm was pushed to choose what his future would hold.
Rejecting Tradition and Embracing Hope
The final season’s resolution was just as emotional as I expected. The final scenes of Wilhelm riding in the car with his parents, to leaving and chasing after Simon’s car, were moments of celebration for viewers. Seeing Wilhelm finally break free from tradition and go after what he wanted brought the tension to a close. There was a small moment when it looked like Simon might not turn back but he did. I loved how Simon asked if Wilhelm was leaving behind his duties because of him. Wilhelm responded that he was doing it for himself. This was a necessary distinction. As much as Wilhelm loved Simon, his decision was ultimately made for his own happiness, not anyone else’s.
Wilhelm, Simon, Felice and Sara all drive off together. We don’t get to see where they’re going next. But what we do see is that they have each other. Wilhelm’s final look into the camera tells viewers the four of them will be alright. They’re leaving behind tradition and leading their own revolution.
