George VI's dramatic death, Prince Philip's bare bottom and flirty glances galore: How Netflix's £100m biopic The Crown will change the way the world views the royal family 

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Netflix's eagerly awaited £100million series about the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh's early relationship portrays the blossoming royal romance as a tender affair...but one not without its trials. 

The opening episodes of the lavish 10-part drama starring Claire Foy and Matt Smith suggest the Queen endured a tortured tussle between her quest for personal happiness and her duty to serve the state. 

The show, which airs on Netflix on Friday, is likely to surprise viewers with its unflinching portrayal of George VI's demise; a dramatic scene in the first episode sees the king spluttering blood into a toilet bowl. 

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The Crown, said to be the most expensive television series ever, stars Claire Foy as the Queen and Matt Smith as Prince Philip. The lavish Netflix biopic - the first two episodes of which have bee seen by FEMAIL - documents the early days of the couple's relationship as a tender affair

Not only is it beautifully acted, but no expense has been spared on capturing the look and, crucially, the feel of post-war Britain

With all the world's riches at this feet, George VI, played by Jared Harris, cannot stave off fate and much of the opening episode is dedicated to the changing of regal guard.

King George died from lung cancer in 1952, aged just 56; a moment that sent shockwaves through the world as his eldest daughter, Princess Elizabeth, kissed goodbye to her relative freedom at just 25 years old.  

The romance in the opening episodes is a slow burn but viewers can feast on stolen glances aplenty as the chemistry between the Queen and her betrothed blossoms into a love affair that has spanned eight decades.

The Crown, based on an award-winning play, sees screenwriter Peter Morgan, who created The Queen, reunite with director Stephen Daldry, whose previous film credits include Billy Elliot and The Hours.

As the series is broadcast, the Queen and the Duke — now 90 and 95 respectively — will be dutifully performing jobs which remain essentially the same as they were on that February morning 64 years ago when they awoke in the Kenyan treehouse

The Crown is a £100 million gamble by Netflix, the online TV network. It hopes to sign up an entirely new audience of older, more affluent viewers

The new series offers an intimate look at some of the most iconic moments of the Queen's life. Pictured, with her father King George VI (Jared Harris)

Together, they delve deep into the personal and public personas of the Royal family and show Queen Elizabeth, just 25, forced to balance personal indulgence with duty. 

Moments between the couple in episodes one and two are few and far between but their passion-filled stares steal any scene they are in together.

Before news of the king's death emerges, Elizabeth is shown enjoying a short break in Kenya with new husband Prince Philip.

The naughtiest moment in the series' opening episodes sees the Queen filming her husband’s bare bottom as he sleeps naked; a scene with obvious artistic licence but one that paints the couple as young lovers like any other.

Elizabeth is wholly unaware that her life is about to become much more serious and that she will be bound to serve from that day forward.

At first, Philip is supportive of his wife in the new storyline, but later cracks appear

The Crown offers up a feast of royal drama which, at times, makes Downton Abbey look like Emmerdale

The conflict between the Queen and crown is a constant theme throughout and it undoubtedly affects her marriage, with Prince Philip being told: ‘She is the job. Loving her, protecting her.

‘She is the essence of your duty.’

Another of the defining moments in the The Crown comes from Queen Elizabeth’s younger sister.

THE CROWN WRITER PETER MORGAN ON WHY HE TURNED DOWN A MEETING WITH THE QUEEN

Peter Morgan receiving his CBE in February 2016. Luckily Prince Charles officiated at the investiture as he's admitted he'd be terrified to meet the Queen 

Speaking at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts director earlier this year, Morgan explained that he'd 'ducked' meeting the monarch as he wanted to be independent while writing.

'I wanted to keep my distance, 'he explained. 'I want to be free to write how and what I want.'

The avoidance is unusual given that Morgan has spent so much of his career writing about the monarch. 

He penned the 2006 hit film The Queen starring Helen Mirren who went on to win an Oscar for her performance. 

In 2013, he picked up the theme again in the stage play The Audience, which focused on Queen Elizabeth's meetings with British Prime Ministers from taking the throne in 1952 to the present day.

And he admitted that he would be 'in shock' if he finally came face to face with someone he had written so much about.

So it was lucky that when he received his CBE in February this year, it was Prince Charles officiating at the investiture and not his mother.

In one scene, Princess Margaret, who is played by Vanessa Kirby, shares an illicit kiss with Sir Peter Townsend who is married and has children.

The affair with their late father’s equerry, who was a trusted member of the King’s staff and a decorated war hero, begins to form early on.

Their ‘uncomfortably close understanding’ is one that threatens to dominate the series’ opening two episodes and her father’s death only seems to strengthen their bond.

It is however Princess Elizabeth’s simple life which is cut short when their father dies and she reluctantly inherits the crown.

She had expected many more years of married bliss with Prince Philip before ascending the throne and the two had planned to go to Malta.

Buckingham Palace has nothing to say on the show and says it will not be providing a running commentary on inaccuracies

Claire Foy and Matt Smith (right) put on the regal glitz, she in white fur, tiara, long gloves and elaborate ballgown, while he looks debonair in white tie

Princess Margaret features heavily in the series' opening episodes. The Crown series one comes to Netflix this Friday on 4 November

In a poignant scene on the airplane back to England from Kenya, the new Queen apologises to her husband and says in her cut-glass accent: ‘I’m sorry. I thought we’d have longer.’

It is her conflict between head and heart which remains the overarching premise of the series.

Queen Elizabeth later receives a letter from her grandmother Queen Mary, played by Dame Eileen Atkins, who writes: ‘I have seen three great monarchies brought down through their failure to spare personal indulgences from duty.

‘You must not allow yourself to make similar mistakes.

‘The Crown must win, it must always win.’

The Crown series one comes to Netflix 4 November