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It was critically acclaimed after its first season, which left viewers wanting more as Winston Churchill resigned as Prime Minister and Elizabeth II was accused of betraying her husband Philip.

But it seems the royal couple, played by Claire Foy and Matt Smith, are set for happier times amid the high drama of The Crown's second season.

In preview shots for the series, set for release on December 8, the Queen and her husband are seen cuddling up as they eagerly await the arrival of their fourth child Prince Edward.

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Baby on the way: It seems the royal couple, played by Claire Foy and Matt Smith (above), are set for happier times amid the high drama of The Crown's second season

Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Phillip appear to find some solace amid a turbulent 1960s London, as they happily cuddle up together in the palace, ahead of the arrival of their fourth child, Prince Edward. 

With the pregnant monarch relaxing with her feet up after weeks of a taxing reign , her husband is seen affectionately holding her from behind - implying their marriage to be as strong as ever.

However a further shot hints at the strain in their marriage, with the couple poised far apart in a darkened room, with grim expressions on their faces. 

Tense: However a further shot hints at the strain in their marriage, with the couple poised far apart in a darkened room - following accusations of Elizabeth's 'betrayal' to Philip 

Further apart than ever: Implying a further drive between them, another still sees the monarch landing in another country, and greeting her people - with Philip stood sheepishly behind her

Elizabeth and Philip are thought to come under scrutiny from the public in season two, following claims the Queen 'betrayed' her husband - by adding a lengthy royal tour abroad to his Australia visit, to help him 'adjust' to life in her shadow.

Implying a further drive between them, another still sees the monarch landing in another country, and greeting her people - with Philip stood sheepishly behind her. 

The photos come soon after the first trailer for the season was unveiled - hinting there is only more drama looming.

The exciting clip gave a hint at what's to come for the royals, as the Queen of England is heard uttering the words: 'The rumours still haven't gone away.' 

'The rumours still haven't gone away': The drama looks set to escalate in trailer for The Crown season two... after star Claire Foy says 'there is not letup' for Queen Elizabeth II

Wild thing: Of her husband, she is told 'you married a wild spirit, trying to tame him is no use,' as images of Philip's royal tour following the Melbourne Olympics is show, as he watches exotic dancers perform for him on a fire-lit beach

Fans see an embittered-looking Elizabeth at the ballet as she is heard saying: 'I've learned more about humiliation in the past few weeks than I hoped I would in a lifetime.'

Of her husband, she is told 'you married a wild spirit, trying to tame him is no use,' as images of Philip's royal tour following the Melbourne Olympics is show, as he watches exotic dancers perform for him on a fire-lit beach.

'I've been Queen barely ten years and in that time I've had three prime ministers, not one has lasted the course,' Elizabeth says, referring to the events of her reign, shown across the dramatic season one.

Having returned to Britain, Philip says: 'I understand the prime minister's resignation.' 

'I've learned about humiliation in the past few weeks': Fans see an embittered-looking Elizabeth at the ballet

Dramatic: It was critically acclaimed after its first season, which left viewers wanting more as Winston Churchill resigned as Prime Minister and Elizabeth II was accused of betraying her husband Philip

What's next? Netflix have released a trailer for The Crown's second season, which will be available from December 8

'It's not just the prime minister,' Elizabeth cuts across him, curtly.

He continues: 'Your mother, your sister and country; the whole relentlessness of it all, the fact it never stops, not for a minute.

'But is it not possible that among all those problems there are some of us who are there for you no matter what?'

The Queen then pauses and replies, coolly: 'If only.' 

Crestfallen? Having returned to Britain, Philip says: 'I understand the prime minister's resignation.' 'It's not just the prime minister,' Elizabeth cuts across him, curtly

What went wrong? 'I've been Queen barely ten years and in that time I've had three prime ministers, not one has lasted the course,' Elizabeth says, referring to the events of her reign, shown across the dramatic season one

Michael C. Hall and Jodi Balfour also appear in the trailer, having been recruited to portray President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jackie Kennedy.

In addition, the second series also sees Matthew Goode star as Princess Margaret’s bohemian photographer husband, Tony Armstrong-Jones.

Implying the new character will cause huge tension among the royals, creator Peter Morgan said ahead of the series' debut: 'Tony is everything the palace isn't; seductive, dangerous, risqué.'

The second season will see Queen Elizabeth’s marriage strained and her empire crumble under scrutiny - with her and her husband seemingly worn by the events. 

Critical acclaim: The series garnered the cast and crew mass recognition by the likes of the Screen Actors' Guild, the Critics Choice and the Emmys over the past year

Back soon: Season two will start with Her Majesty’s Armed Forces fighting an illegal war in Egypt, and deal with Elizabeth's third Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, and his notorious scandal

Speaking to EW about the new series, actress Claire reflected: 'I think [Queen Elizabeth] starts to realise she needs to pay more attention to her personal life now that the other part of her life is going all right.

'The world’s changing faster than anyone can catch up with. There is no letup. She just keeps having to go from one crisis to another to another, and at some point, it’s about five crises at the same time and you have no idea how she manages to get up in the morning.'

The first series of the royal drama, which began just before Queen Elizabeth II's ascension in 1952, made its debut on Netflix last year - and was immediately met with rave reviews from fans and critics alike.

In the first installment of episodes, Matt and Claire the Queen and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh as their younger selves, between the years 1947 and 1955.  

Coming up: The second season will see Queen Elizabeth’s marriage strained and her empire crumbles under scrutiny

Trial and tribulation: 'I think [Queen Elizabeth] starts to realize she needs to pay more attention to her personal life now that the other part of her life is going all right,' Claire said about the second season to EW

Sneak peek: The trailer also teases the appearance of Michael C Hall and Jodi Balfour as Jack and Jackie Kennedy

Netflix has invested a staggering £100 million in the royal drama, which is currently intended to have six series - making it the most expensive TV show to date. 

Both the cast and crew garnered mass recognition by the likes of the Screen Actors' Guild, the Critics Choice and the Emmys in the year after its release. 

Series two of The Crown started shooting last October, and is expected to begin with Her Majesty’s Armed Forces fighting an illegal war in Egypt, and deal with Elizabeth's third Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, and his notorious scandal.

The show is planned to have six seasons, however a vast amount of time progresses across the schedule - meaning the characters will naturally age.

It's a hit: Netflix has invested a staggering £100 million in the royal drama, which is currently intended to have six series - making it the most expensive TV show to date

Main man: Amid the exciting preview's, Matt Smith, who portrays Prince Phillip, stepped out in a sunny New York

Keeping cool: The actor appeared relaxed in bright blue jeans and a sports cap as he headed out in the city, after a busy few months filming season two of The Crown

Recasting: With the show slated to have six seasons, creator Peter Morgan recently admitted he did not want to use CGI to make the actors look older (Matt and Claire, 34 and 32, above)

Yet, show creator Peter recently confessed the use of make-up, or even CGI, to make the actors look older is not something that interests him.

'I feel that when we reach 1963-64 we’ve gone as far as we can go with Claire Foy without having to do silly things in terms of makeup to make her look older,' he said of the actress, who is currently 32 (Matt is 34). 

Referring to what happens if a third season is commissioned - which it's likely it will be seeing as there is a six season arc planned - Peter told ScreenDaily: 'We’d probably need to think about the issue of recasting everybody and so those conversations are happening now.

'I couldn’t tell you where we’ll come out. It’s a big thing to go on again. Everybody needs to look at one another and [ask] under which circumstances and what terms would we do it.'

Done his duty: Referring to what happens if a third season is commissioned, Peter admitted: 'We’d probably need to think about the issue of recasting everybody'

Man of the hour: Matt, alongside co-star Claire, garnered mass recognition by the likes of the Screen Actors' Guild, the Critics Choice and the Emmys in the year after the show's debut