Year: 2021
Runtime: 111 min
Language: English
Director: Pablo Larraín
During the Christmas holidays at Sandringham Estate, Princess Diana grapples with a failing marriage to Prince Charles. As the royal family gathers for festive celebrations, Diana finds herself increasingly isolated and confronts the complexities of her position within the institution. Facing strained relationships and rumors of infidelity, she experiences a pivotal moment that questions the traditions and expectations surrounding her royal role.
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Read the complete plot breakdown of Spencer (2021), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
England, on Christmas Eve 1991, the British royal family is gearing up to celebrate the holiday season at the Queen’s Sandringham estate nestled in the picturesque countryside of Norfolk. Among the royal attendees is Diana Spencer, the Princess of Wales, portrayed by Kristen Stewart. Her marriage to Prince Charles, played by Jack Farthing, has significantly deteriorated due to his ongoing affair with Camilla Parker Bowles. As the extensive staff at Sandringham, under the skilled guidance of Timothy Spall as Major Alistair Gregory, prepare for the royal family’s arrival, Diana takes to the Norfolk countryside in her convertible sports car, grappling with the impending pressure and turmoil that approaches.
On the brink of a mental collapse, Diana delays her arrival at Sandringham, crossing paths with Royal Head Chef Darren McGrady, portrayed by Sean Harris. During their encounter, she reflects on the long-abandoned estate of Park House, once her cherished childhood home. As her nostalgic feelings rise, she dashes towards a scarecrow, a wistful symbol of her past, unearthing an old jacket that once belonged to her father, John Spencer, the 8th Earl Spencer.
Upon reaching Sandringham, she is warmly welcomed by her sons, William and Harry, but she struggles to connect with the rest of the royal family, who largely overlook her presence. Her closest confidante at the estate is Sally Hawkins, who plays the pivotal role of Maggie, the Royal Dresser. Maggie continually encourages Diana to stand up against the royal family’s expectations and navigate her royal duties. During her stay, Diana stumbles upon a book about Anne Boleyn in her bedroom, which sparks a series of haunting dreams featuring Boleyn, including a vivid hallucination of her at a Christmas dinner. In this vision, Diana imagines herself destroying a pearl necklace gifted by Charles and consuming the pearls in her soup, revealing her desire for freedom from her own royal constraints.
On Christmas Day, while attending the service at St. Mary Magdalene Church, Diana spots Camilla among the attendees, provoking a frantic media frenzy as journalists capture her every move. Afterward, she has a tense discussion with Charles about their sons’ involvement in a pheasant shoot the following day, only to find him dismissive of her concerns and advising her to maintain a clear distinction between her private and public personas. In a private moment of deception, Charles orchestrates to send Maggie away to London while spreading unfounded rumors that she is the one responsible for placing the Boleyn book in Diana’s room and questioning her mental state. However, McGrady clarifies to Diana that Maggie had nothing to do with it.
Struggling with her own reality, Major Gregory attempts to compel Diana to adapt to royal norms, stating that the duty of British soldiers is to protect the Crown’s interests—interests that encompass her own. Diana, unwavering, counters his suggestion by declaring that she never requested anyone to sacrifice their life for her benefit. In a moment of despair, she imagines self-harm with wire-cutters gifted from McGrady, ultimately avoiding the formal Christmas dinner and instead escaping to her childhood home with the cutters in hand. Overwhelmed by nostalgic memories, she dances through the halls of her former abode, recalling her joyful childhood. Contemplating a drastic measure, she is briefly halted by the apparition of Boleyn, leading her to instead shred her pearl necklace in a moment of defiance.
On Boxing Day, Diana wakes to discover that Maggie has returned from London, and together they visit a nearby beach where Diana shares her struggles regarding her mental health and her marriage. In a heartfelt conversation, Maggie confesses her love for Diana, a sentiment that Diana kindly rebuffs. After parting ways, Diana confronts the reality of the pheasant shoot and boldly steps in front of the hunters to announce her intention to take William and Harry back to London, a proposition that Charles begrudgingly approves. As they embark on their journey, Diana engages in a lighthearted moment with her children, singing along to “All I Need Is a Miracle” by Mike & the Mechanics as they pass the scarecrow once more, now humorously adorned in one of Diana’s outfits. They head to London, stopping for some Kentucky Fried Chicken, and enjoy their meal beside the River Thames. The film closes with Diana gazing across the river, filled with uncertainty about her future, yet liberated from the weight of royal expectations.
Last Updated: November 08, 2024 at 00:41
Still wondering what the ending of Spencer (2021) really means? Here’s a spoiler-heavy breakdown of the final scene, major twists, and the deeper themes that shape the film’s conclusion.
The ending of “Spencer” reveals Diana’s moment of liberation and acceptance of her true self. Throughout the film, she is portrayed as living between two worlds—the superficial princess and her real, more vulnerable self. Her life in the royal family is suffocating, bound by strict traditions, control, and the constant pressure to conform. The film builds up her internal struggle, with visuals and symbolism illustrating her feelings of being trapped and hunted by the oppressive atmosphere and her own fears.
In the climax, Diana reaches her breaking point. She sheds the symbolic layers of royalty—ripping off her pearls, rejecting the royal persona, and ultimately stepping away from the crown she has been forced to wear. Her act of walking into the woods with her children and choosing to leave the palace signifies her reclaiming her identity. Instead of playing the role of the perfect princess, she embraces her true, imperfect self as Diana Spencer. The scene where she drives her children to KFC illustrates her desire for normalcy and genuine connection, away from the rigidity of royal life.
The film concludes with Diana standing firm outside the palace, free from her internal and external restraints. Her confrontation with the ghostly figures, the symbolic figures of her fears and the royal expectations, signifies her breaking free from her mental and emotional burdens. This powerful ending suggests that she is choosing her own happiness and authenticity over the oppressive expectations of the crown. Ultimately, Diana’s moment of laughter and her decision to walk away mark her final act of rebellion and her acceptance of her true identity, not as the idealized “People’s Princess,” but as a woman who values her freedom and genuine love over superficial duty.
Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:58
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