Why 'Young Royals' Climactic Coming Out Scene is so Special

Wilhelm Never Announces His Sexuality

Wilhelm tells the crowd that he was in the leaked sex tape with Simon from Season 1, which is very different to a traditional coming-out scene; the main thing that comes to mind is that Wilhelm never specifically announces his sexual orientation. This is in stark contrast to something like Nick Nelson saying he's bisexual in "Heartstopper" or Victor Salazar coming out as gay to his parents at the end of the first season of "Love, Victor."

Of course, there's nothing wrong with labeling your sexuality, as this is the way most people come out. At the same time, sexuality is complex and not everyone knows for sure how to identify themselves, especially upon coming out at a young age. Forcing people to do so results in unfortunate circumstances like "Heartstopper" actor Kit Connor being bullied on social media into coming out as bisexual.

What Wilhelm knows for sure is that he's completely in love with Simon, so his coming out reflected that certainty and he was able to articulate it to a mass audience in a powerful show of courage. For those who are also having feelings for the same sex but don't want to define themselves, Wilhelm's journey is more than relatable; it's a mirror image of real life.

Wilhelm Validates Simon's Worth

The crux of Wilhelm and Simon's romance since the middle of the first season is their massive difference in social class ranking amongst the Swedish elite. While they both go to the same boarding school, they couldn't be on further ends of the political hierarchy. Wilhelm is the crown prince, a young man who is going to become the King of Sweden someday. Simon is considered lower class and is an immigrant. In many ways, the main reason their relationship was forbidden by the Swedish monarchy, such as Wilhelm's mother, is because of this class disparity, not because of the same-sex nature of the partnership.

When the two teens are caught on tape in an act of intimacy, Wilhelm lies about his identity, leaving Simon out on an island by himself. When Wilhelm finds the bravery to own up to what happened, this is a significant shattering of the social hierarchy between himself and Simon. It shows both the Queen and the rest of the Swedish monarchy that he won't ever be embarrassed about being with someone who is lower on the political rungs of the country. Simon has been validated, and in turn their romance is finally substantiated alongside him.

The Scene Is Beautifully Choreographed

Television has a way of enhancing the magic of coming out. Music choice, camera angles, eloquent line delivery and so much more can really elevate a moment that is already compelling into something even more palpable. The song choice right after Wilhelm announces his love for Simon, "The Most Beautiful Boy" by the Irrepressibles, is evocative and brings the hairs up on the back of your neck. It's the type of musical choice that allows the audience to live vicariously through the characters and feel the tangible weight lifted off their shoulders.

Actors Edvin Ryding and Omar Rudberg are able to play off of each other stunningly, as Rudberg displays a raw confusion as Simon that runs symmetrical to the audience's. Nobody knows where Wilhelm is going with his speech, but once Ryding's character turns and smiles, all the potential for disaster washes away. Ryding looks to the camera and breaks the fourth wall in the final seconds of the season, letting the viewership into his inner circle to experience the moment with him. If Netflix has any awareness of how vital LGBTQ+ content is to their platform, they'll renew "Young Royals" for a third season so we can see where these unique characters bring us next.