A scene from “Unfinished Business”

Queen Elizabeth II (Younger): Monarchy is something you are, not what you do. The Crown is a symbol of permanence. Of stability. Of continuity. If you step down, you will be symbolizing instability and impermanence. You'll also be indicating the luxury of choice, which is the one thing we cannot have if we claim the Crown is also our birthright.

Queen Elizabeth II: So you would have a superannuated old lady running the show while a fit, energetic Prince of Wales watches on, straining at the leash.

Queen Elizabeth II (Younger): But I don't see you as decrepit. Since the jubilee, since Mummy's death, I see you as liberated. Confident. You say that Charles is in his prime. Well, I see you in yours. And admit it. You sometimes think there's a difference between you and the rest of the family.

Queen Elizabeth II: Yes.

Queen Elizabeth II (Younger): It comes naturally to you. They all seem to make such a mess of it.

Queen Elizabeth II: I didn't say that.

Queen Elizabeth II (Younger): No, but you've thought it. Privately. And with good reason. This system is a dreadful thing to inflict upon people. It's not natural. It's not fair. It's not kind. But you seem to thrive in it. And, more importantly, it seems to thrive under you. So, shouldn't you stay for every single day that you can?

Queen Elizabeth II: But what about the life I put aside, the woman I put aside, when I became Queen?

Queen Elizabeth II (Younger): What sort of question is that? For years now, there has been just one Elizabeth. Queen Elizabeth. If you went looking for Elizabeth Windsor, you wouldn't find her. She's gone. Long gone. You buried her years ago.