"Love or duty?"
Young Royals - Symbolism & Philosophy
Symbols & Motifs
The Horse
Horses, particularly Sara's beloved horse Rousseau, symbolize a desire for freedom, connection, and an escape from social pressures. For Sara, riding is a space where her neurodivergence is not a hindrance and where she feels in control. Her difficult decision to sell Rousseau represents the sacrifices she makes to fit into the world of Hillerska.
Sara's relationship with Rousseau is a significant subplot throughout the first two seasons. The stables are a sanctuary for her. August's gift of a new horse is a manipulative gesture that ties her to his world of privilege and secrecy, ultimately leading to conflict.
Hillerska Boarding School
Hillerska symbolizes the institution of the elite, a microcosm of the rigid, hierarchical world of tradition, privilege, and secrets that Wilhelm is expected to lead. It is a place of both opportunity and immense pressure, where social status dictates everything and outdated codes of conduct are enforced.
The school is the primary setting for the series. Its hallowed halls, secret societies, and grand events are the backdrop against which the central conflicts of love versus duty and authenticity versus tradition play out. The school facing closure in season 3 mirrors the monarchy's own crisis of relevance.
The Color Purple
Purple is traditionally associated with royalty, power, and wealth. In "Young Royals," it is frequently used to symbolize the pressures and constraints of Wilhelm's royal life. The purple hoodie he wears is often seen as a subtle nod to this, a piece of his royal identity he can't fully escape even in casual moments.
The color appears in lighting, clothing, and school branding. For instance, the lighting during Wilhelm and Simon's first intimate moments is tinged with purple, visually representing the collision of Wilhelm's royal world with his personal desires.
Fish and Frogs
In a key scene, Simon explains that some fish can change their gender, a metaphor for fluidity and the idea that one is not necessarily locked into the role they are born with. Frogs, which Wilhelm is seen observing, are symbols of transformation and metamorphosis, mirroring his own profound personal changes throughout the series.
The fish metaphor is used in Season 1 when Wilhelm and Simon are getting to know each other by the lake, providing an early hint at the series' themes of identity and breaking free from predetermined roles. Wilhelm's fascination with frogs appears at moments of quiet contemplation, underscoring his internal evolution.
Philosophical Questions
To what extent are we defined by the roles we are born into?
"Young Royals" intensely explores the question of predetermined identity versus chosen identity. Wilhelm is born a prince, a role that comes with a non-negotiable set of duties and expectations that dictate his entire life. The series uses his journey to ask whether birthright and tradition should supersede personal freedom and happiness. His struggle against the "golden cage" of royalty suggests that true selfhood can only be achieved by actively questioning and, if necessary, rejecting the roles society assigns to us. The finale, where he renounces the throne, provides a clear answer: one's authentic self is more valuable than any inherited title.
Can love truly conquer all, especially institutional power and tradition?
The series uses the romance between Wilhelm and Simon as a case study for this classic question. Their love is constantly tested not by personal failings, but by the immense, impersonal forces of the monarchy, class hierarchy, and public opinion. For two seasons, it appears that these institutions are insurmountable, forcing them apart. However, the story ultimately argues that love can be a revolutionary force powerful enough to dismantle personal and even systemic barriers. Wilhelm's love for Simon gives him the courage to see the flaws in the institution he represents and ultimately to leave it, suggesting love's power lies not in changing the institution, but in liberating individuals from it.
Core Meaning
The core meaning of "Young Royals" is an exploration of the conflict between authenticity and tradition, and the revolutionary power of choosing love over duty. Creator Lisa Ambjörn conceptualized the series to question how societal roles, such as social class, gender, and in this case, royalty, affect life choices and personal freedom. The series posits that true liberation comes from dismantling inherited expectations and having the courage to define one's own path. Wilhelm's journey is not just about his sexuality; it's about using his personal awakening to question the archaic structures he was born into. Ultimately, the story champions the idea that love, in its purest form, can be a catalyst for profound personal and even institutional change, suggesting that happiness lies in the freedom to be oneself, unburdened by the weight of a crown.