With its deft integration of historical events into an engrossing story, Netflix’s The Crown offers viewers a window into the lives of the British royalty. The series is commended for its meticulous attention to detail, yet it occasionally strays from historical realism. This article examine five key instances in which The Crown crossed the line into fiction in this investigation, illuminating the complex relationship between drama and fact.
The Supposed Opposition of Prince Philip to Kneeling
Prince Philip is shown by The Crown as refusing to kneel before Queen Elizabeth I during her coronation, introducing a dramatic turn of events. Historical data, however, indicates that no such objection took place. Being familiar with royal customs, Prince Philip recognized the importance of ceremonial formality, therefore this fictitious departure is more of an artistic decision than a historical one.
Hugo Vickers, a royal historian, endorsed this inaccurate portrayal by saying, “There’s a whole episode of Prince Philip refusing to kneel at the coronation, and saying that no man should have to kneel before his wife. Prince Philip was actually perfectly happy to kneel before his wife, he was brought up as a member of the Greek royal family and he knew the rules from day one. And that sort of thing didn’t concern him at all, he’s a big enough man to take it in his stride.”
Princess Margaret’s Steadfast Ambition to Hold the Throne
Princess Margaret didn’t really aspire to be queen, unlike how The Crown portrays her. Although the television show presents her as wanting to be more involved in royal duties, historical accounts suggest that Margaret was more interested in her social role and charitable work than she was in being a ruler. Margaret’s actual feelings are poignantly but inaccurately portrayed by this inventive narrative decision.
Prince Phillip’s Supposed Affairs
In Season 2, The Crown teases a romantic relationship between Prince Philip and his goddaughter, Penny Knatchbull, as well as a possible subplot involving Phillip’s contact with a ballerina. Though intriguing for dramatic impact, these assertions are not supported by hard data. The royal family is the subject of gossip, but there is no concrete evidence that Phillip had extramarital affairs, so these plot points are entirely made up.
The Motion to Dissolve Parliament Made by Margaret Thatcher
In episode 10 of Season 4, The Crown portrays a crucial scene in which Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher asks the Queen for help in dissolving Parliament. The Queen, however, emphasizes the differences between the show’s narrative decisions and the true events of Thatcher’s political downfall, denying that any such discussions are occurring in real life.
The Fictional Balmoral Test
The idea of the Balmoral Test, in which visitors fall victim to social traps, is introduced in Season 4. This idea is completely made up, even though it’s entertaining. Experts in history dispute the veracity of the incident, pointing out that the royal family, conscious of visitors’ anxiety, tries to make a pleasant environment instead of setting up quizzes.
Vickers provided clarification on the fictitious portrayal of the Balmoral Test, which was obtained by Insider, saying, “If you watch the Balmoral episode, where they invite Mrs Thatcher and absolutely persecute her, absolutely no way would that have happened. It was a disgraceful episode, and wrong in every detail from beginning to end. Of course, The Balmoral Test doesn’t exist. The royal family is very well aware that guests are going to be nervous in their presence, and go out of their way to make them welcome.”
