Where to watch: Netflix
Age Rating: TV-MA
Number of seasons: 2
Overall rating: 10/10
Age Rating: TV-MA
Number of seasons: 2
Overall rating: 10/10
In all honesty, I had tried to watch this show when the first season came out, but I couldn’t bring myself to get past episode 2. It’s not that it was bad; I just dropped it for no good reason. So when I heard that season 2 came out, I practically forced myself to watch it, which thank the Lords I did. I don’t regret a second of my time spent on this show; I practically binged it in around 3 days. While this show has some heavy topics, overall it is still a really good show with its charming and adorable moments.
Background Information
Young Royals is a Swedish Netflix original series which follows the life of second born Prince Wilhelm as he gets practically shoved into a Catholic boarding school, Hillerska, for fighting at a party. At first, all Wilhelm wanted to do was go back home, but he met someone worth staying for. He met Simon.
Simon is the lead singer of the school’s choir, a very attractive Venezuelan at Hillerska with his sister, Sara, thanks to a scholarship. Upon first seeing Simon, Wilhelm unknowingly wanted to get closer, but he didn’t know how, so he started following him around like a lost puppy. While they were flirting here and there, nothing really happened until Simon kissed Wilhelm during a movie night at Hillserka. Normally, Wilhelm was confused, but he knew he didn’t want to push Simon away, so he kissed him again. However, the next day, he told Simon he wanted to pretend nothing happened. Simon was upset but respected his decision; that was until a few days later when Wilhelm wanted to take it back because he couldn’t stop thinking about Simon.
After they spent some time together, Wilhelm asked Simon to stay at Hillerska with him during the semester break because then they would be alone, but right before that, Wilhelm got a call. The crown prince, his brother Eric, had passed away in a car accident. Now it’s up to Wilhelm to put up with the pressure of his parents, the crown, the country, and worst of all, whether he can keep his relationship with Simon safe.
And then August, Wilhelm’s most trusted and second cousin, decides to expose their relationship through a video of them kissing because he believes Wilhelm isn’t fit to be a king. Now that the video is released, everyone can see that Simon is there, but they can’t tell it’s Wilhelm. Now he has to choose between speaking out and confirming it’s him in the video–or keeping his reputation secure by denying and possibly throwing away the best thing that’s ever happened to him: Simon.
With that being said, I’m going to talk about my favorite aspects from both season one and two.
Simon is the lead singer of the school’s choir, a very attractive Venezuelan at Hillerska with his sister, Sara, thanks to a scholarship. Upon first seeing Simon, Wilhelm unknowingly wanted to get closer, but he didn’t know how, so he started following him around like a lost puppy. While they were flirting here and there, nothing really happened until Simon kissed Wilhelm during a movie night at Hillserka. Normally, Wilhelm was confused, but he knew he didn’t want to push Simon away, so he kissed him again. However, the next day, he told Simon he wanted to pretend nothing happened. Simon was upset but respected his decision; that was until a few days later when Wilhelm wanted to take it back because he couldn’t stop thinking about Simon.
After they spent some time together, Wilhelm asked Simon to stay at Hillerska with him during the semester break because then they would be alone, but right before that, Wilhelm got a call. The crown prince, his brother Eric, had passed away in a car accident. Now it’s up to Wilhelm to put up with the pressure of his parents, the crown, the country, and worst of all, whether he can keep his relationship with Simon safe.
And then August, Wilhelm’s most trusted and second cousin, decides to expose their relationship through a video of them kissing because he believes Wilhelm isn’t fit to be a king. Now that the video is released, everyone can see that Simon is there, but they can’t tell it’s Wilhelm. Now he has to choose between speaking out and confirming it’s him in the video–or keeping his reputation secure by denying and possibly throwing away the best thing that’s ever happened to him: Simon.
With that being said, I’m going to talk about my favorite aspects from both season one and two.
Simon and Wilhem’s relationship
Throughout the show, Simon and Wilhelm go from a newlywed couple to a divorced family fighting for custody of their three kids and dog in the span of, like, 2-3 episodes. It’s actually funny if you hear it out of context, but once you dive deeper into why things happen the way they do, it becomes clear why they act that way.
The trouble that they get put through from a leaked intimacy video to having to deal with rumors throughout the entire country is a lot for two queer, 16 year-old boys. Wilhelm has the incredible pressure from the crown to deal with that gave him severe anxiety. And Simon is in fear of losing his scholarship and his only chance of pursuing a musical career, not to mention the fact that he is also probably hated by the entire country for possibly being Wilhelm’s love affair. While they get put through so much countless times, in the end they realize that they’re human. They come from different backgrounds and they have to learn to accept the fact that there are issues that may affect them differently. Wilhelm worries about the crown and his ability to be king, while Simon worries about his future being destroyed. I don’t agree with certain things they did like the way Wilhelm handled the scandal, but I am glad that at the end of the day they were able to understand their differences in priorities, and that allowed them to come together in the end; they finally understood that they truly need each other regardless of what the world may think of them.
The trouble that they get put through from a leaked intimacy video to having to deal with rumors throughout the entire country is a lot for two queer, 16 year-old boys. Wilhelm has the incredible pressure from the crown to deal with that gave him severe anxiety. And Simon is in fear of losing his scholarship and his only chance of pursuing a musical career, not to mention the fact that he is also probably hated by the entire country for possibly being Wilhelm’s love affair. While they get put through so much countless times, in the end they realize that they’re human. They come from different backgrounds and they have to learn to accept the fact that there are issues that may affect them differently. Wilhelm worries about the crown and his ability to be king, while Simon worries about his future being destroyed. I don’t agree with certain things they did like the way Wilhelm handled the scandal, but I am glad that at the end of the day they were able to understand their differences in priorities, and that allowed them to come together in the end; they finally understood that they truly need each other regardless of what the world may think of them.
The Gay Panic
Wilhelm having a gay crisis ever since he met Simon was honestly so funny and relatable. During episode 4 when Simon kissed Wilhelm, he was in complete shock. He didn’t know what to do, but when he saw Simon leaving, he pulled him back and kissed him again. When he pulled him back, he didn’t know what he was doing, and the next day he was anxious about what would happen between them, so he asked Simon to forget it. But the thing is: our confused queer boy couldn’t stop thinking about Simon. This happened throughout the show many times: Simon was always on his mind and he didn’t know why. It wasn’t until the last episode of season one where he finally told Simon that he loved him. If you think season 2 was any better for Wilhelm’s gay panic, then you’re wrong. Season 2 was full of jealousy with Simon’s new love interest while he was trying to move on from Wilhelm. Wilhelm was ready to drop everything for Simon, and I mean everything. He practically threatened the royal family and their important people because they wouldn’t let him be with Simon. Wilhelm started off confused and anxious about what other people would think about him being with Simon, but at the end of it, he was ready to drop everything to keep him in his life.
The ending of season 2
*Spoilers for season 2 end*
Season 2 ended much better than I expected it to. The way that their relationship ended in season 1 was on terrible terms and made me fearful for what was going to happen next. But after they had ended things, Simon tried to get over Wilhelm by using Marcus as a rebound. While I did agree that Simon should take some time away from Wilhelm, I don’t agree with how he basically used Marcus’s emotions to make Wilhelm jealous. And, of course, Wilhelm did not take these matters lightly. Like I said, before he was ready to throw his entire life away to be with Simon. Which is exactly what he did. Not only did he threaten the royal family with taking them down from the inside, but he also said publicly that it was him in the video with Simon. Wilhelm knew that if it got out he was in the video and that he was gay, it could ruin his entire life; but he still did it. He did it for Simon. He did it because he loves Simon, and Simon loves him too.
Season 2 ended much better than I expected it to. The way that their relationship ended in season 1 was on terrible terms and made me fearful for what was going to happen next. But after they had ended things, Simon tried to get over Wilhelm by using Marcus as a rebound. While I did agree that Simon should take some time away from Wilhelm, I don’t agree with how he basically used Marcus’s emotions to make Wilhelm jealous. And, of course, Wilhelm did not take these matters lightly. Like I said, before he was ready to throw his entire life away to be with Simon. Which is exactly what he did. Not only did he threaten the royal family with taking them down from the inside, but he also said publicly that it was him in the video with Simon. Wilhelm knew that if it got out he was in the video and that he was gay, it could ruin his entire life; but he still did it. He did it for Simon. He did it because he loves Simon, and Simon loves him too.
Final Thoughts
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My overall thoughts on this show is that it’s amazingly accurate, relatable, funny, and deep. If you’re looking for some LGBTQ representation and something a bit more mature than Heartstopper, this is the show. I highly recommend you give this show a chance because I didn’t think I was going to enjoy it as much as I did.
Also! A special shout out to Omar Rudberg (Simon) and Edvin Ryding’s (Wilhelm) relationship because honestly, they’re one of the funniest on screen duos I’ve seen! |
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Characters
Willhelm
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Crown Prince A huge softy for Simon Will fight anyone and everyone to keep Simon with him Gay but didn’t know until he met Simon Pretty boy and he knows it Get this man more therapy please |
Simon
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LATINO KING Voice of an angel Knows how to stand up for himself Just wanted to make Wilhelm jealous but didn’t want to hurt him Funny as heck Mama’s boy and there’s nothing wrong with it A really good songwriter |
August
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Mixed feelings about this guy
Mostly bad feelings because he leaked Simon and Wilhelm’s relationship Backup for the Backup Needs to go to a rehabilitation center desperately Kinda scared of him Makes you pity him and feel bad and that’s why I strongly dislike him. |
Sara
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Pretty sweet for the most part Don’t like the fact she tried to be one of the rich kids and completely disregard everything her mom and Simon did for her. Gives off fruity vibes? One of the good horse girls? |
eli torres
