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The Netflix series which chronicles the life of one of the world's most longstanding rulers has returned to our screens.

The Crown, the sumptuous dramatisation of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign over the UK and Commonwealth, is back for a third series with a near-complete change of cast. Academy Award winner Olivia Colman replaces Claire Foy as the monarch, with the action beginning in 1964 and running through to the Silver Jubilee of 1977.

It was a period which saw change and innovation in Britain and across the world. Across the 10 episodes of this latest series, fans will see some significant moments in history play out before them.

Here are some of them.

Harold Wilson is prime minister

The 1964 General Election saw Labour secure victory after 13 years of Conservative rule. It was by the narrow margin of four seats but enough to see Harold Wilson in Downing Street. This third series will show the relationship between Mr Wilson, who is played by W1A actor Jason Watkins, and Queen Elizabeth II. He was Prime Minister between 1964 and 1970, and again from 1974 to 1976.

The Aberfan disaster

On Friday, 21 October 1966, 116 children and 28 adults lost their lives when a spoil tip behind Pantglas Junior School in the South Wales mining town of Aberfan collapsed and rolled towards the community below at tremendous speed.

It buried the school, robbing the town and its families of so many children. The Queen visited the village eight days later to meet those affected.

Prince of Wales investiture

It was announced in Cardiff at the 1958 Empire Games, now known as the Commonwealth Games, that then nine-year-old Prince Charles was the new Prince of Wales. His investiture took place at Caernarfon Castle 11 years later, on 1 July 1969. The event was watched by a TV audience of millions around the world, but polarised opinion between those who supported the role and those who believed it was an imposition on Wales.

Prince Charles has since become the longest serving Prince of Wales in history, and it’s possible Prince William may succeed him in the role when his father becomes king, although the title isn't hereditary.

The Moon landings

July 1969 was a busy old month as far as The Crown is concerned. Less than three weeks after the Prince of Wales’ investiture, Neil Armstrong became the first human being to set foot on the Moon. The Crown addresses the event through the eyes of Prince Philip and his admiration for the pioneering astronauts. ����ý Bitesize has taken a look at what else was happening on Earth on the day the crew of Apollo 11 touched down on the lunar surface. Read more about it here.

The miners’ strike

A four-month strike by Britain’s miners in 1974 led to the end of Edward Heath’s tenure as prime minister. This followed a shorter strike in 1972 over pay. He called a snap general election to deal with the situation, but wound up losing to Harold Wilson’s Labour Party. The new government offered them a 35% pay rise. It was during this period that Arthur Scargill of the National Union of Miners also rose to prominence, as he would during another miners’ strike 10 years later.

The Silver Jubilee

The Queen marked 25 years of her reign in 1977. The Coronation had taken place only 24 years before, more than a year after the Queen’s father, King George VI, had passed away.

More than a million people took to London’s streets on 7 June to watch Her Majesty make the trip to St Paul's Cathedral for the start of the celebrations. Street parties also took place around the country.

By the end of its third series, The Crown will have covered more than a third of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. The fourth will include the first appearances of Princess Diana and Margaret Thatcher.

This article was published in November 2019