The Truth About Season 5 of The Crown… sort of
Separate fact from fiction in the Netflix show
Royal followers are talking of nothing else – Season Five of The Crown has arrived and it’s proving as divisive as ever. The Netflix series is back, with a new cast. Imelda Staunton is the Queen, Jonathan Pryce Prince Philip, Dominic West Prince Charles, Elizabeth Debicki Diana, Lesley Manville Princess Margaret and Jonny Lee Miller, John Major.
Season Five, as we revealed here, focusses on the ’90s – a decade which saw scandals, separations and tragedy, for the Royal Family. The action kicks off with Princess Diana recording tapes for journalist Andrew Morton, in what would become his 1992 bestseller biography Diana: Her True Story.
Much is being made over what is and isn’t true in the series and to save us getting our tiaras in a tizzy, Kerry wrote a tongue-in-cheek column for The Sunday Telegraph. Without giving away all the series, here are some of our thoughts:
It isn’t a documentary: First up, obviously, writer Peter Morgan could not accurately record every conversation the Windsors had, so it’s safe to assume most of the dialogue is invented.
Some interactions didn’t happen at all: However, it’s worth noting that some of the meetings didn’t happen at all. In episode one, John Major did not go to see the then-Prince Charles, to discuss the Queen’s abdication and the ex-PM has been at pains to make this clear. A spokesperson said, “there was never any discussion between Sir John and the then Prince of Wales about any possible abdication of the late Queen Elizabeth II.”
The Queen did want to keep HMY Britannia: While we don’t know what the Queen said to John Major about refurbishing Britannia, it’s true she did want to keep it and Major wasn’t sure it was a good idea for the government to fund it. Eventually, it was decided it would be restored, only for Tony Blair to scrap it in 1997.
Diana did record tapes: In episode two, we see Diana’s friend Dr James Colthurst, cycling between Andrew Morton and Kensington Palace to deliver secret recordings for the tell-all book. This is true.
The Queen did have an annus horribilis: In episode four, we see the Queen make her famous annus horribilis speech of 1992, but she did not cry, or mention “the errors of the past”. Instead she said, “I dare say that history will take a slightly more moderate view than that of some contemporary commentators. Distance is well-known to lend enchantment, even to the less attractive views.” She was right.
Margaret and Peter’s reunion isn’t accurate: In episode four, we see Princess Margaret reunited with Peter Townsend, after he hears her pick their favourite song on Desert Island Discs. Unfortunately, this is invented – Margaret went on the show a decade earlier and didn’t pick their song. According to Lady Glenconner, the pair had reunited in 1978 and it was “very touching.” They later met for tea in 1992.
Charles did breakdance: Of all the details to portray accurately, episode five’s scene with Prince Charles breakdancing, is true, if a bit delayed. The Prince of Wales did bust some moves at an official event, albeit a decade earlier, in 1985.
The real locations of The Crown
One of the best things about The Crown is its lavish locations. Obviously, the crew wasn’t allowed into the real palaces, so here are some of the stand-ins. Check out the full list in Kerry’s sister newsletter The British Travel List, out on Tuesday.
Lancaster House was Buckingham Palace: Lancaster House in St James’s, stands in for Buckingham Palace. Built in 1825 for the Duke of York, this lavish building is owned by the government and used for functions. Take a virtual tour here.
Ardverikie House was Balmoral: Eagle-eyes might have spotted the Monarch of the Glen in The Crown – aka Alastair Mackenzie. Coincidentally, his former home, Glenbogle, or Ardverikie House, is Balmoral. Visit here.
Brocket Hall was Kensington Palace: The Crown subbed Brocket Hall, near Welwyn Garden City, for Kensington Palace. Now a wedding venue and golf course, Brocket Hall was home of Prime Minister Lord Melbourne – confidante of the young Queen Victoria. Visit here.
Somerley was Highgrove: Charles’ home Highgrove was actually Somerley, another wedding venue on the border of Hampshire and Dorset. Visit it here.
Burghley House was Windsor Castle: Grand Burghley House in Lincolnshire stood in for Windsor. Check out this historic estate here.
Kate’s got winter wrapped up
We’re loving the Princess of Wales’s ‘coatdrobe’ (last week it was a camel Max & Co number followed by a red Alexander McQueen) and this Wednesday Catherine looked fabulous, on an engagement in Hillingdon, wearing an olive green Hobbs coat. The £369 investment buy has sold out (of course) but a similar version is still (last time we looked) available here.
The princess, as patron of the Maternal Mental Health Alliance, was visiting Colham Manor Children’s Centre in north London “seeing its work and the benefit a holistic approach brings to so many mothers and families” she said on Instagram. “Spending some time with new mothers, understanding more about their experiences of mental health and how integrated services are making a real difference in the community.”
Catherine, who has made it her mission to champion the importance of the early years in children’s development and outcome in later life, called for more centres around the country.
Charles (egg) rolls with it
It’s his first birthday on Monday as the King - Happy 74th Charles - but in York on Wednesday he narrowly missed another regal first when a protestor threw eggs at the King and Queen Consort. All four missed the royal couple and the police arrested a student called Patrick Thelwell.
Charles realised something was happening when the first egg landed near his right foot, but carried on unfazed greeting the crowds and dignitaries. The pair were in the city to unveil a statue of Queen Elizabeth II. During the ceremony at York Minster, Charles said: "The late Queen was always vigilant for the welfare of her people during her life. Now her image will watch over what will become Queen Elizabeth Square for centuries to come." Let’s hope it remains an egg-free zone.
Camilla’s tribute to Beth and Bluebell
The Queen Consort appears in a new book out now, Top Dogs: A British Love Affair, celebrating the unique bond between dogs and their humans.
Within its pages, Camilla writes about her love for Beth and Bluebell, the royal rescue terriers. “They are both colourful characters – and now I cannot imagine my life, my home or my sofas without them.” Buy the book here, it will make a great Christmas present for the dog lover in your life.
And finally, as patron of the Poppy Factory, the Queen Consort left the terriers at home to plant a Cross of Remembrance at the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey, ahead of today’s Remembrance Sunday.
“When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say,
For Your Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today.”