The story of Prince Wilhelm and Simon reached its planned conclusion with the release of Young Royals Season 3 on Netflix. The final season, which arrived on March 18, 2024, delivered an emotional and hopeful ending for the beloved characters. For fans who enjoyed the secret romance and high-stakes pressure of shows like Heated Rivalry, this Swedish teen drama offers a similar blend of forbidden love and intense personal conflict, making it a perfect next binge.
Young Royals Season 3 Ending Explained: What Happened to Wilhelm and Simon?
The core conflict of the entire series came to a head in the finale. Prince Wilhelm was forced to make an ultimate choice between his royal duty and his personal happiness with Simon. After a painful breakup in the penultimate episode, where Simon stated he could no longer live under the strict demands of the royal court, Wilhelm reached a life-changing decision.
During a car ride with his parents following his graduation from Hillerska, Wilhelm calmly informed Queen Kristina and his father that he did not want to be king. This act of abdication cleared the path for his cousin, August, to become the heir to the throne instead. Wilhelm then ran after Simon’s car, which was leaving with his sister Sara and friend Felice, to deliver the news.
“I think that moment is monumental,” actor Edvin Ryding, who plays Wilhelm, said about the abdication scene. “What he is doing, it is almost Biblical… He grows so much as a human being in that moment.”
A key part of their reunion was Wilhelm making it clear that his choice was for himself, not just a grand romantic gesture for Simon. This showed significant personal growth and was what Simon needed to hear for them to rebuild their relationship on healthier terms. The series ended with Wilhelm, Simon, Sara, and Felice driving away together, their future open but their commitment to each other clear.
Key Events and Character Arcs in the Final Season
The final season of Young Royals wove together several important storylines that led to the conclusion. A major plot point was the closure of Hillerska boarding school. The school was shut down by inspectors due to systemic issues and abuse, a consequence of the scandals exposed in previous seasons. This forced all the students, including Wilhelm and Simon, into an early graduation and a farewell to the setting that defined their lives.
Wilhelm’s journey involved shattering revelations about the monarchy he was born into. He learned that his late brother and idol, Crown Prince Erik, had participated in homophobic hazing rituals against August. This discovery destroyed Wilhelm’s idealized view of his brother and the institution, helping him see the crown as something that “hurts people and limits them”.
Simon, played by Omar Rudberg, also underwent a tough season. He struggled with how much of his own identity and freedom he was willing to sacrifice to be with Wilhelm. His breaking point came after attending Wilhelm’s tense family birthday dinner at the palace, where he witnessed the deep dysfunction and pain within the royal family.
“The only person that could save Wille is Wille himself,” Omar Rudberg explained, discussing Simon’s decision to break up. “Simon always says, I try to be there for him, but everything that I do makes it all worse.”
Other characters found resolution too. August faced rejection from Sara but was granted the future as king he always wanted. Sara and Felice repaired their friendship, and Wilhelm and August called a truce, with Wilhelm apologizing for his brother’s past actions.
Why Heated Rivalry Fans Will Love Young Royals
For viewers who enjoyed Heated Rivalry, Young Royals is a highly recommended watch because it explores very similar themes in a different setting. Both stories center on a secret same-sex romance that must be hidden from intense public scrutiny. In Heated Rivalry, the pressure comes from the world of professional sports; in Young Royals, it stems from the protocol and duty of a royal family.
Both shows feature leads who are trapped by their public roles—whether as a star athlete or a prince—and must navigate what it means to love someone when that love conflicts with their duty and image. The tension between private desire and public expectation creates a compelling, page-turning drama in both series. Furthermore, like Heated Rivalry, Young Royals treats its central queer relationship with authenticity and respect, allowing it to be complex, intimate, and ultimately hopeful.
Behind the Scenes: The Planned Three-Season Story
Unlike many Netflix shows that face unexpected cancellation, Young Royals ended exactly as its creator intended. Head writer and co-creator Lisa Ambjörn always envisioned the story as a three-part saga.
“I’ve always imagined Young Royals being told in three parts and because of the fans’ dedication to our story, we get to tell the last one,” Ambjörn stated when the final season was announced.
She confirmed that the ending had been clear to her from the very start of production in 2019. The show’s conclusion was a creative choice, not a cancellation, allowing the writers to craft a complete and satisfying arc for Wilhelm, Simon, and their friends.
Final Scene Symbolism and Lasting Impact
The closing moments of the series were rich with meaning. Wilhelm’s literal run toward freedom—chasing Simon’s car—was a powerful visual metaphor. Actor Edvin Ryding joked about filming the run, calling it his “full Tom Cruise moment,” but emphasized the emotional substance behind it.
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The finale also paid off a recurring symbol: the broken frog snow globe in Wilhelm’s room. In the final episode, Wilhelm throws it away. Creator Lisa Ambjörn explained the symbolism: “The prince kisses a boy, and he doesn’t turn into a frog. He turns into a real boy, and he doesn’t have to deal with the monarchy”.
By choosing a hopeful ending for its queer leads, Young Royals joined a positive shift in storytelling. For a long time, LGBTQ+ narratives in media were often defined by tragedy. This series demonstrated that queer characters, especially teenagers, deserve and can have joyful conclusions.
The final season of Young Royals, along with all previous episodes, is available to stream globally on Netflix.
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