If you’re scrolling through your streaming apps looking for a stuffy historical drama about tea and tiaras, you’re going to be very confused when you hit play on Her Majesty.
Honestly? Most people go in expecting The Crown and end up with a face full of foul-mouthed Spanish comedy.
Basically, the show—originally titled Su Majestad—dropped on Prime Video in early 2025 and immediately started rattling cages. It’s not about a real queen. Well, sort of. It’s set in a "not quite real" modern-day Spain where the king gets caught in a massive financial scandal and has to hide in the shadows for a bit.
The result? Princess Pilar, an irresponsible party girl who probably knows more about tequila shots than trade deals, is suddenly the Head of State.
Why Her Majesty Is Smarter Than It Looks
You’ve probably seen the headlines. Some critics hated it. One viewer on Reddit literally compared the lead actress's outfits to a "heroine addict call girl" because she wears a lot of silver and fur.
But that’s kinda the point.
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The show was created by Borja Cobeaga and Diego San José. If those names don't ring a bell, they’re the minds behind Eight Basque Surnames, which is one of the biggest hits in Spanish cinema history. They aren't trying to make a documentary. They’re making a satire about how ridiculous the institution of monarchy looks when you drop a Gen Z socialite into the middle of it.
The Plot That Actually Matters
Princess Pilar, played by the brilliant Anna Castillo, is a mess.
- Her father, King Alfonso XIV, is a disaster who gets sidelined by a financial scandal.
- Pilar is the only candidate left to run the country.
- She has a "guard dog" secretary named Guillermo Salvatierra (Ernesto Alterio) who spends 90% of his time cleaning up her PR nightmares.
One of the best episodes involves a university trying to name Pilar a "Distinguished Alumnus" even though she never actually went there. It’s a perfect skewering of how institutions try to suck up to power. It’s cringe-inducing. It’s uncomfortable. It’s also very, very funny.
Is It Based on Real People?
This is where things get spicy.
The creators officially say Pilar isn't based on anyone specific. However, if you follow Spanish royalty, you’ll notice she feels a lot like Victoria Federica, the real-life niece of King Felipe VI. Victoria is a fashion influencer known for her nightlife, which is exactly the vibe Pilar brings to the palace.
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The show even opens with a scene at the Copa del Rey final where the crowd is whistling and booing the royals. This isn't just fiction—it’s a direct reference to the real political tensions in Spain.
What the Critics Got Wrong
A lot of the early reviews complained about Pilar being unlikable.
They’re right. She’s terrible.
But the show isn't asking you to worship her. It’s asking: "What happens when a useless person is given absolute symbolic power?"
By the time you get to Episode 6, "Long Live Pilar!", the tone shifts slightly. Pilar ends up at the funeral of Guillermo’s mother and realizes that for some people, the monarchy still represents something important, even if she doesn't. It’s a rare moment of nuance in a show that usually moves at 100 mph with jokes about foul-mouthed royals.
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The Cast Performance
- Anna Castillo (Pilar): She leans into the "terrible princess" persona so hard you’ll want to look away, but her comic timing is impeccable.
- Ernesto Alterio (Guillermo): He plays the straight man to her chaos. His performance as the stressed-out civil servant is the glue holding the show together.
- Ramón Barea: He plays the Chief of the Royal Household with a weariness that feels incredibly authentic.
Why It Matters Right Now
Monarchy fatigue is real.
We’ve had decades of shows that treat royals like tragic, Shakespearean figures. Her Majesty treats them like employees of a brand that is rapidly losing its market share.
It’s refreshing.
In a world where we’re constantly told to respect tradition, this show asks why we’re still doing this. It doesn't give an easy answer. It just shows us the mess.
Actionable Next Steps
If you’re planning to dive into the first season, keep these things in mind:
- Don't watch the dub: If you can, watch it in the original Spanish with subtitles. The "foul-mouthed" humor the critics complained about loses its rhythm and bite when it's translated into flat English ADR.
- Look for the cameos: There’s a plotline involving a British prince named "Richie" who renounced his rights to the throne to write a memoir. Sound familiar? It’s a hilarious, not-so-subtle nod to Prince Harry.
- Binge it fast: The episodes are only about 30 minutes long. You can knock out the whole seven-episode season in a single afternoon.
- Check the Renewal Status: As of late 2025, a second season has already been reported in development, so don't worry about being left on a permanent cliffhanger.
Stop expecting another version of The Crown. This isn't a history lesson. It’s a riot.