A Royal Night Out (rated PG-13) opens today, December 4. Princess Elizabeth (yes, now known as that Queen Elizabeth) and her sister, Margaret, are young women who just want to have a little fun after the long 6 year war in Europe. The movie takes place on VE Day in 1945.
They’ve been cooped up in Windsor Castle and other than volunteering to make sandwiches for soldiers (which they were watched closely), things weren’t very exciting or liberating for them. 
They want to go out and celebrate out, with the people. Who could blame them?
Outside the palace walls, all of London was in a frenzy! The war was officially over at midnight.
Elizabeth (known as Lillibet to her sister) and Margaret reluctantly get permission from the King (Rupert Everett) and Queen (Emily Watson) to go out and celebrate. Though the King and Queen aren’t too pleased. 
Princess Elizabeth says it’s the King’s chance to find out what his subjects really think of them. The girls glam up and leave their tiaras behind to go “incognito”.
They get two army lieutenants as chaperones, called Lieutenant Pryce and Lieutenant Burridge, and set off to the Ritz – which is still glamorous. The champagne is flowing (literally) and the girls are agog. Once they get to the private party their parents arranged, they are disappointed when the general age of the partygoers is 65. Margaret, who seems to be much wilder than the more serious Elizabeth, ends up ditching their detail (and her sister) to dash out with a handsome older officer, who may have some not so pure intentions for her. Margaret gets into a few crazy situations, going from dancing the conga, to dipping her toes in the fountains at Trafalger Square to going to a couple of other clubs, but never losing her fun spirit. She definitely provided the comic relief in the movie.
Elizabeth, who is out without any money and has also ditched her chaperones, has to try and find her. Along the way, she meets a mysterious and handsome RAF airman named Jack (Jack Reynor) who comes to her aid more than once. But he’s hiding an important secret. 
Elizabeth has her own secret (she doesn’t tell him that she’s a princess) There’s a mutual attraction, but will Elizabeth actually be able to have a romance with him? She is the future Queen of England and he’s a just an airman. Not that she treats him that way, she treats him like an equal. 
Chaperones Lieutenants Pryce and Burridge also provide comic relief. It was funny to see how Lieutenant Pryce totally changes in the movie.
There is definitely excitement and danger. Will Elizabeth find her own voice and learn how to lead her people? What do the people think of King George? Did he even want to be king when his older brother stepped down? Will Margaret and Elizabeth make it home safely and meet their curfew time?
Check out the trailer:
5 Reasons to see “A Royal Night Out”
- Princess Margaret is utterly charming and a vibrant character.
- The sets, wardrobe, and details are all very authentic and stunning.
- Sarah Gadon is radiant as the future Queen Elizabeth
- Lord “Stan” is kind of a Goodfella and is hysterical in his interaction with Princess Margaret
- Jack is totally dreamy
We recommend this movie as a date night movie or to catch when going out the with girls. Don’t miss A Royal Night Out!
Sounds like an interesting movie.
I totally am into Call the Midwife right now, which has really made me interested in this part of the world during these times! This looks like the next movie for me!