Official Reactions to The Crown’s Portrayal of Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II

Netflix’s The Crown, which chronicles the lives of Queen Elizabeth II and her royal family, has been a subject of intense public attention and media scrutiny. One of the recurring topics of discussion has been the portrayal of Prince Philip and his interactions with Queen Elizabeth II. This article explores the reactions from within the royal household, focusing on whether the Palace would have been offended if such scenes were shown.

Public Perception and Media Attention

The Crown has garnered significant media attention and public discussion, especially regarding scenes where Prince Philip is portrayed as assertive and potentially confrontational with the Queen. For instance, in one episode, Prince Philip tells Queen Elizabeth to 'grow up.' This episode sparked numerous comments and debates among viewers and commentators.

While some found the scene offensive, there hasn’t been an official statement from the Palace explicitly addressing the offense taken over this specific moment. It is widely assumed that the royal family, including the Palace at Buckingham, would not have watched such content, considering it to be fictional and not reflective of their interactions. The Queen, in particular, has a philosophy of 'never complain, never explain,' maintaining a stance of non-commentary on such matters.

The Fabrication of History in The Crown

It is important to note that The Crown is a fictitious representation of historical events and figures. The show uses touchstones—specific points in history where there is visual evidence, such as photographs or recorded interviews—and expands on these with creative storytelling to tell a historically-based fictionalized narrative.

From the Queen to minor characters, viewers recognize the events and interactions in the show as dramatized. While the show may include some realistic moments, such as the passionate kiss between Philip and Elizabeth in Season 3, these are balanced by more fictionalized scenes. The show’s producers, particularly Peter Morgan, made it clear that The Crown is inspired by real people and events, but the events in between are a creative invention.

Reactions from Insiders and Family Members

The royal household generally refrains from commenting on such portrayals in the media. However, some insiders have provided their thoughts. For example, Prince Edward, along with his wife Sophie Countess of Wessex, watched the first season and found it amusing, though they acknowledged its highly fictionalized and dramatized nature.

Other family members, including Princess Diana’s brother, have also issued statements emphasizing that the show should not be taken as factual. He explained that the family declined to allow filming at Althorp, their ancestral home, to maintain accuracy. This underscores the fact that while the royal family allows some public information, they also protect their privacy and property from being used for fictional portrayals.

Princess Diana’s brother also felt the need to stand up for his sister, stating that her sons were entrusted to him for guardianship. He feels a strong duty to honor her memory by ensuring the portrayal of the real events is accurate.

Overall, while the Queen’s exact feelings about the show are unclear, the royal family’s general stance is one of non-engagement and a nonchalant attitude towards such reimaginings. They respect the public’s interest in their story but maintain their privacy and ensure the authenticity of their property and information remains intact.

The Crown, while entertaining, is best enjoyed as a fictionalized version of real history. The key takeaway is to view the show as a drama based on historical events and not as a documentary or exact account of the royal family's interactions.

For those interested in the royal family's true history, it is recommended to consult official sources and historical accounts rather than relying solely on fictionalized portrayals.