The Crown’s royal tour to 1983 Australia in season four

If there’s one thing Australia loves, it’s when other countries notice us. Which makes the fourth season of The Crown catnip.

Fans of The Crown are devouring the fourth season of the glitzy royal drama, entranced by the ups and (mostly) downs of Charles and Diana’s complicated relationship.

From their bizarre initial meeting – nothing says ‘possible future Queen’ like a forest sprite costume – and the first flushes of romance to Charles’ contempt and Diana’s loneliness, it’s an emotional journey worthy of the show’s slick production values and enormous budget.

It is what fans of The Crown have been waiting for since its first season started the Windsor story in 1947.

But for Australians, this new season will have special significance because almost an entire episode is set here, with the couple greeted by thunderous crowds eager to meet the new Princess during the 1983 royal tour.

After landing in Darwin, the royal couple made their way around the country, and Charles, according to The Crown, did a little bodyboarding at Bondi Beach.

Meanwhile, Diana had a little light flirtation with some lifeguards at a photocall.

While scenes with the Sydney Opera House and Uluru in the background suggest the production was filmed on location here, the Australian scenes were actually filmed in Spain, primarily around Malaga and Almeria.

RELATED: The Crown’s fourth season fuelled by two era-defining women

The 1983 royal tour is a pivotal episode in the fourth season

Remember crowds? Ye olde days

Computer magic

Diana was correct in not wanting to climb Uluru

Looks like Australia, actually Spain!

Richard Roxburgh as Bob Hawke, a role he’s previously played

RELATED: The Crown’s Emma Corrin and Josh O’Connor on Charles and Diana’s marriage

Of course, the episode is not just an excuse to recreate Diana’s most iconic outfits from that six-week tour of Australia and New Zealand, there’s an emotional arc to the chapter too, as Charles and Diana’s marriage becomes increasingly fraught despite a few tender moments and a glimmer of hope in the mid-stretch.

The Crown recreates a ball in Sydney

The Crown recreates Diana and Charles’ 1983 tour

Then there’s Richard Roxburgh’s performance as Bob Hawke, a role he’s previously played in a TV biopic of the former PM. In the episode, Roxburgh’s Hawke viewed the upcoming tour as potentially the turning point for the republican movement, hoping the Australian people will be unimpressed by Charles and choose self-determination over the monarchy.

Back in England, Prince Philip even moans about how “important” Australia is to the monarchy and that they shouldn’t have sent the “B team” to shore up support.

Hawke, a known republican in real life, would not get the break from the crown he hoped for after Diana wowed crowds and reinvigorated the public’s love affair with the British royals.

A love affair that remains to this day – there’s nothing we love more than to be acknowledged by our imperial masters, even in a dramatised TV show.

The Crown fans are certainly enjoying it:

Emma Corrin is superb in "The Crown." Obsessed with her wardrobe on the Australia tour #TheCrown

— Caitríona Mc Bride (@caitrionamcb) November 15, 2020

That moment between Charles and Diana in Australia... My heart swelled #TheCrown

— Mollz (@mstyles_87) November 17, 2020

Seeing how happy Diana is on the Australia tour cuts real deep #TheCrown

— Hilary (@Super_Swank) November 16, 2020

I got really quite emotional watching these scenes of Diana in Australia on #TheCrown she was so like Diana. Our poor princess, taken from us.

— Darren van der Garry (@mrpudu) November 16, 2020

If you didn’t cry watching Charles and Diana touring in Australia, you’re not human #TheCrown

— GDP 🌹 (@danathevillain) November 16, 2020

Great seeing Richard Roxburgh as Bob Hawke again. This time in #TheCrown His portrayal of Australia’s much loved larrikin of a Prime Minister was tops!

— Damo (@QuikSand86) November 17, 2020

Diana slayage in Australia, unstoppable #TheCrown

— Miguel (@jlawforcex) November 15, 2020

There are many moments in #TheCrown that make you pause and sympathize for Diana and by extension Harry and Meghan but the one scene that really made me say “No wonder Harry took his wife and child and dipped” happened during the flight to Australia.

— Zayyee (@eyejustgothere) November 16, 2020

The Crown season four is streaming now on Netflix