The Queen doesn’t watch The Crown because it ‘s ‘too realistic’, royal biographer claims
- Royal Family usually deny watching Netflix drama, soon to star Olivia Coleman
- Princess Eugenie previously overheard saying her ‘granny really likes’ the show
- Previously reported Prince Philip dismissed idea of watching it as ‘ridiculous’
- Royal biographer Robert Lacey now offers his theory why they steer clear of it
The Queen doesn’t watch The Crown because it comes ‘too close to re-creating the reality of royal life’, according to a royal biographer.
The acclaimed Netflix drama returns to UK screens for a third series next month, with Olivia Colman and Tobias Menzies replacing Claire Foy and Matt Smith as Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.
Since it began in 2016, the show has dramatised the inner workings of the palace, and this new series will see the monarch face her darkest time on the throne yet as she battles the miners’ strike, national security, sibling rivalry and family conflict ahead of her 1977 Silver Jubilee.
Whether the real royal family actually watch the show has long been debated, with Prince Philip once allegedly dismissing the idea as ‘ridiculous’.
The Queen doesn’t watch The Crown because it comes ‘too close to re-creating the reality of royal life’, according to a royal biographer
In April last year we reported how actress Vanessa Kirby, who played Princess Margaret, claimed a friend overheard Princess Eugenie talking about her ‘granny’s’ TV viewing habits at a party and said she ‘really likes it’.
She added: ‘We’ve heard that Philip doesn’t watch it – he can’t be bothered.’
In September we told how David Rankin-Hunt, who acts as protocol adviser on the show, said he is unsure whether the Queen herself watches the drama, but is aware senior members of the royal household are big fans.
Now royal biographer Robert Lacey, who is also a historical consultant on the show, has revealed his theory as to why the Windsors steer clear of watching it.
The acclaimed Netflix drama returns for a third series next month, with Olivia Colman (pictured) and Tobias Menzies replacing Claire Foy and Matt Smith as Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip
He told the Radio Times: ‘Whenever any of them are asked about The Crown, they always deny watching it.
‘And that may be because imagination can convey a truth that the facts themselves cannot.
‘I would say that The Crown comes the closest to actually re-creating the reality of royal life.
‘It is not a documentary, but there is an enormous team of historical researchers who examine every detail intensely, to make sure that what we see people feeling and thinking on screen feels right.’
David Rankin-Hunt, who acts as protocol adviser on the show, said he is unsure whether the Queen herself watches the drama, but is aware senior members of the royal household are big fans. Pictured: Claire Foy and Matt Smith as Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip
His comments come after Olivia Colman claimed Prince William told her he doesn’t watch the show.
She told the publication: ‘He said, “I know what you’re doing here.” I asked, “Do you watch it?” He said, “No, I don’t.”‘
The Crown’s season three trailer was released in full on Monday, hours after Japan accidentally released the teaser on its YouTube channel early.
During the ‘dark’ new clip, Colman, 45, appears as Queen Elizabeth II and says: ‘This country was still great when I came to the throne, all that’s happened on my watch is that the place has fallen apart.’
Helen Bonham-Carter, 53, takes over the role of Princess Margaret from Vanessa Kirby and recreates husband Lord Snowdon’s 1962 picture of her taken the bath in 1962, while wearing her tiara.
Source: Read Full Article