Everyone knew it was coming, but that didn't make the finality of Young Royals Season 3 any easier to swallow. When Netflix announced that the third installment would be the swan song for Prince Wilhelm and Simon Eriksson, the collective anxiety of the fandom hit a fever pitch. Ending a cult hit is risky business. You either go out on a high note like Succession or you stumble into the "should've ended sooner" territory.
Lisa Ambjörn, the show’s head writer, was always pretty vocal about this being a three-act story. Honestly, you can feel that intentionality in every frame of the final season. It isn’t just a "will they, won't they" anymore. It’s a "should they?" And that is a much more uncomfortable question to ask.
The Hillerska Dilemma and the Weight of Tradition
By the time we get to Young Royals Season 3, Hillerska is basically a character itself. But it’s not the prestigious, untouchable sanctuary it was in the pilot. It’s crumbling under the weight of its own elitism. The season kicks off with the school facing a massive crisis of identity after Wilhelm’s public confession at the end of season 2.
The inspectors are in. The traditions are being scrutinized. It's a mess.
What’s fascinating about the final arc is how it treats the school as a microcosm of the Swedish monarchy. If Hillerska is toxic, then the institution Wilhelm represents is inherently broken too. We see this through the eyes of various characters, not just our leads. Felice, who has spent years trying to be the "perfect" Hillerska girl, finally starts to see the cracks. Her disillusionment is one of the most underrated parts of the season. She realizes that the "loyalty" the school demands is actually just a mask for silence and complicity.
Why the "Wilmon" Conflict Felt Different This Time
Let’s be real: Wilhelm and Simon have always been a bit of a disaster. We love them, but they are teenagers under an impossible amount of pressure. In the first two seasons, the conflict was mostly external—the Queen, August, the press.
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In Young Royals Season 3, the conflict becomes internal.
Simon realizes that loving a prince isn't just about the person; it’s about the baggage. There’s a scene early in the season where Simon is basically told he can't post his music or speak his mind because it reflects on the Crown. For a character whose entire identity is built on being authentic and standing up for the working class, that’s a death sentence. It’s not just a spat between boyfriends. It’s a fundamental clash of values.
The show doesn’t shy away from the fact that Simon is miserable. He’s losing himself. And Wilhelm? He’s so desperate to keep Simon that he doesn’t realize he’s suffocating him. It’s painful to watch. It’s supposed to be.
The August Redemption Arc (Or Lack Thereof)
Everyone loves to hate August of Östergötland. Malte Gårdinger plays him with this specific brand of pathetic arrogance that is just... chef's kiss. Throughout Young Royals Season 3, the show toys with the idea of August becoming the "spare" or even the replacement.
But does he get a redemption? Not exactly.
The writers were smart enough to know that you can't just handwave away what he did to Simon and Wille in season 1. Instead, they show us his vulnerability without necessarily asking us to forgive him. He’s a product of the same system that’s crushing Wilhelm. He’s obsessed with legacy because he has nothing else. His relationship with Sara continues to be one of the most toxic, compelling, and "wait, why am I rooting for them?" dynamics on television.
The Final Episode: A Breakdown of the Ending
The finale of Young Royals Season 3 was released as a standalone event, separate from the first five episodes. That was a bold move by Netflix, but it worked. It gave the finale room to breathe.
The series finale focuses on the final days of Hillerska after the decision is made to close the school. There's a party (of course), there's a lake swim, and there's a whole lot of crying. But the pivot point happens in the car.
Wilhelm realizes that he cannot be the King of Sweden and be happy.
It’s a simple realization, but it’s the only way the story could have ended truthfully. If he stayed in the line of succession, Simon would have eventually left or withered away. By choosing to abdicate—or at least signaling his intent to walk away from the throne—Wilhelm chooses himself. He chooses Simon. But more importantly, he chooses a life that isn't a script written by his ancestors.
Missing Pieces and Fan Theories
Even with a satisfying ending, there's stuff people are still debating.
- The Queen’s Health: We see her struggling throughout the season, but her final conversation with Wilhelm leaves a lot unsaid. It’s clear she’s a victim of her own role, too.
- Sara and Simon’s Relationship: The sibling bond was the heartbeat of the show. Their reconciliation felt earned, but some fans felt it happened a bit too fast given the betrayal.
- The Future of Hillerska: Is it really gone for good? The show implies it, marking the end of an era for the Swedish elite.
Impact of the Show on the Teen Drama Genre
Young Royals Season 3 cemented the show's legacy as something far more intellectual than your standard teen soap. It’s more The Crown than Gossip Girl.
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The cinematography stayed moody and raw. They kept the close-ups on the actors' skin—pimples, texture, and all—which is still such a revolutionary choice in a world of filtered "teen" actors who are actually 28 years old. Edvin Ryding and Omar Rudberg have a chemistry that is genuinely lightning in a bottle. You can't cast that. You just have to hope it happens.
The show also handled the intersection of queer identity and class better than almost anything else on streaming. It wasn't just about "coming out." It was about how class privilege protects some people and leaves others exposed. Simon’s vulnerability as a non-white, working-class kid was always in sharp contrast to Wilhelm’s royal immunity.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and New Viewers
If you’ve just finished the series or are planning a rewatch, here’s how to actually digest what happened in the final season:
1. Watch the Documentary
Netflix released Young Royals Forever alongside the finale. It’s not just fluff. It shows the table reads for the final scenes and the genuine emotional toll it took on the cast. If you want to understand why certain choices were made in the script, start there.
2. Revisit the "Lake" Motifs
If you go back to season 1 and compare it to the finale of season 3, the use of water is huge. It represents freedom and shedding the "uniform" of their roles. In the first season, they were hiding. In the final season, they are finally clear.
3. Look for the "Purple" Symbolism
The colors in this show are incredibly deliberate. Red for the monarchy, blue for Simon’s world. When they blend into purple, pay attention. It usually signifies the brief moments where their two worlds actually find a middle ground.
4. Explore the Soundtrack
Music has always been Simon’s voice. The final song choices in Young Royals Season 3 aren't just background noise; they are the internal monologue Simon isn't allowed to speak. Analyze the lyrics of the final choir performance; it's a direct message to the institution they are leaving behind.
The series is over, and honestly, it’s for the best. We got a complete story with a beginning, middle, and a definitive end. In a world of endless reboots and seasons that drag on for years, there is something incredibly royal about knowing exactly when to leave the stage.