As a seasoned observer of royal history and a lover of all things related to the British monarchy, I find myself deeply captivated by the intricate tapestry of events that unfolded in the lives of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Having read numerous accounts, it is clear that their story is one for the ages, filled with romance, drama, and the occasional twist or turn that would make even the most seasoned novelist envious.
The creators of “The Crown” repeatedly emphasized that it wasn’t a documentary, despite the fact that its portrayal of the royal family frequently seemed remarkably realistic.
For the 2024 Emmy Awards, the Netflix series was undeniably recognized as a top-tier scripted drama, earning an impressive 18 nominations for its final season – raising its total to 87 nominations in all, ahead of the ceremony on September 15. (It’s also worth noting that the show added two more wins this year, with victories in Outstanding Contemporary Costumes for a Series and Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Contemporary Program, One Hour or More, at the Creative Arts Emmys held on September 8.)
In an interview with the New York Times before the launch of the last six episodes of The Crown in December, series creator Peter Morgan stated that he could only reiterate what he had already said. He clarified that while some parts are fictional, his aim is to ensure everything remains truthful, even if it’s not necessarily accurate.
And taking creative license isn’t the same as getting it wrong.
According to the show’s research head, Annie Sulzberger, the methods Morgan employs to reveal the inner workings of the royal family are not errors, but rather conscious choices to present an engaging and believable narrative while occasionally veering away from historical facts.
Morgan, responsible for penning all 60 episodes of “The Crown”, had to scrutinize historical accounts meticulously in order to grasp the essence of the events portrayed in season six. A great deal of it was recent news that many were familiar with, but there were still numerous aspects that remained shrouded in mystery.
The series includes some extraordinary scenes, like the ones where Prince Charles (Dominic West) and Queen Elizabeth II (Imelda Staunton) speak with Princess Diana (Elizabeth Debicki) after her demise, or when Mohamed Al-Fayed (Salim Daw) engages in conversations with his deceased son Dodi Fayed (Khalid Abdalla). In simpler terms, it has scenes that are not typical and may seem unrealistic, such as the characters communicating with those who have passed away.
In my narration, I depict a scenario where I personally encounter two queens reminiscent of Claire Foy and Oliva Colman, prior to the marriage of a certain individual (Charles) to another lady (Camilla, portrayed by Olivia Williams).
So, there’s lots of communing with ghosts as the series comes to an end.
Since the debut of “The Crown” with then-Princess Elizabeth preparing to wed Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark in 1947, it’s been intriguing to discern which scenes are based on actual events and which ones have been imaginatively adapted. For instance, remember Diana gliding along the corridors of Buckingham Palace on roller skates? That was rooted in truth or real-life occurrences.
Reflecting on iconic moments like Diana and Dodi’s poignant last moments, Kate Middleton (Meg Bellamy) whispering words of wisdom to Prince William (Ed McVey) about staying in university, and a young Queen Elizabeth letting loose during VE Day in 1945 – these historically grounded scenes make the narrative even more captivating and authentic.
Explore the truths and fictions of Netflix’s “The Crown” season 6 with this handy guide:
In “The Crown,” Princess Diana agrees to accompany Mohamad Al-Fayed, the owner of Harrods, to his villa in Saint-Tropez after receiving his invitation. On their journey, she informs Princes William and Harry that they’re going due to her discomfort at being in London during Prince Charles’ celebration for Camilla Parker-Bowles’ 50th birthday party.
It’s widely believed that Diana was anxious to depart from town in July 1997, as suggested by her humorous remark, “Wouldn’t it be amusing if I popped out of a birthday cake all of a sudden?”, according to Andrew Morton’s book, Diana: Her True Story in Her Own Words. Before arranging her exit from the U.K., she made this lighthearted comment.
Without a doubt, she wouldn’t escape media attention, as portrayed in the Netflix series. In reality, she did jump onto a speedboat to address the photographers floating in the Mediterranean. She politely requested some privacy from them, but agreed to take a few pictures instead, donning a leopard-print Gottex bathing suit (faithfully recreated for the show). Those who captured the moment were told to expect a significant surprise soon.
Off-screen and on, Mohamed frequently discussed his son Dodi Fayed and the profound love affair between him and Diana. He contributed to the circulating speculation that they were set to marry. The $250,000 ring Dodi purchased for the princess was displayed at Harrods, accompanied by the poem he wrote and had inscribed on a silver plaque (a detail humorously mentioned by Elizabeth Debicki’s portrayal of Diana during a conversation with her therapist).
In reality, Mohamed – who passed away in August at 94 years old – was rumored to have aspirations for eternally associating his family with the royal circle. Additionally, he is said to have been a stern and overbearing father towards Dodi, who was portrayed as a reckless playboy in later descriptions of his personality following his death.
Though it’s uncertain what particular requests Mohamed may have made from Dodi or whether he obliged Diana’s wish to return to London on August 31, 1997, the affluent Egyptian aimed to make his illustrious visitor feel like a true princess. As reported, Mohamed purchased the Jonikal, the 195-foot yacht where Diana spent significant time in her final days, for approximately $20 million just two days after extending an invitation to Saint-Tropez – an act that followed Diana’s acceptance.
Dodi was scheduled to wed on August 9, 1997, as stated by Kelly Fisher, the model who filed a lawsuit against him for breaking his contract following rumors published in the tabloids that she had been replaced by Princess Diana.
In “The Crown,” a lawsuit is mentioned – Diana finds it astonishing that someone could be sued for losing love, while Kelly confesses she was asked to reduce work hours by Dodi. However, the show does not depict the emotional August 13 press conference Kelly held with lawyer Gloria Allred (Gloria Allred), who represented her during this time. Notably, Kelly withdrew her complaint following Dodi’s death.
Meanwhile, Dodi is in Paris with Kelly when his father calls him to Saint-Tropez. A few days later, she joins him following the news that he’s been left to handle matters involving Diana (and her children, as Dodi reassures her).
As a lifestyle connoisseur looking back at that bustling July, I found myself, along with Dodi, aboard a smaller vessel, while he frequently returned to the Jonikal. In the narrative, my arrival was met with disappointment when I was escorted to a less luxurious yacht.
When Diana from ‘The Crown’ discovers that Dodi secretly kept his fiancée hidden, this information seems to have little impact on her, having grown accustomed to such deceit. However, they eventually connect over the damaging effects of their fathers’ behaviors – Mohamed’s “overbearing control” versus Earl John Spencer’s “total and absolute neglect.
In Peter Morgan’s creation, it’s possible that Diana was seen playing the piano casually during the meeting, as suggested by findings from the series’ investigators, since she did play a little according to their research.
In the fictional portrayal of “The Crown,” Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip failed to respond to their son Charles’ refusal for his birthday party invitation at Highgrove, held for Camilla. When Charles chose to personally follow up, he was made to wait outside Elizabeth’s study, ultimately opting not to alert a staff member about a mouse sighted along the hallway.
Among the senior royals, Princess Margaret (Lesley Manville) – who might be more understanding of Charles and Camilla’s circumstances due to being a divorcée herself and having unsuccessful marriage approval in the past – is the one who attends. She even calls her sister to share her observation that Charles appears happy, which could potentially help the queen soften her stance towards Camilla.
Instead of attending the party on July 18, 1997, the queen and Philip, along with Charles’ siblings and Margaret, chose not to be present. In her biography of Prince Charles titled Prince Charles, published in 2017, Sally Bedell Smith pointed out the conspicuous absence of any royal family members.
Despite Camilla being portrayed positively on-screen and off, during this time, it was Diana’s cheerful vacation that grabbed headlines and made the front pages. This was something Charles had hoped to achieve.
In “The Crown,” some family-friendly photographs were taken in August 1997 at Balmoral, featuring Charles in a kilt and spending time outdoors with William and Harry. These images were captured by Duncan Muir, a well-respected figure on the royal circuit (known as Forbes Masson). Interestingly, these photos were strategically arranged by Prince Charles, upon the suggestion of his press secretary, to counterbalance the sensationalist headlines about Diana that dominated the news at the time.
In the process, Mohamed secretly engages photographer Enzo Cilenti (also known as Mario Brenna) to gather proof that Dodi and Diana were in a relationship. This covert operation led to the notorious public display of affection (PDA) photos taken onboard the Jonikal, which were later purchased by the Sunday Mirror for $250,000, with subsequent rights fetching up to $100,000.
Annie Sulzberger, who leads research at The Crown, shared with the New York Times that there were several possible explanations on how Brenna managed to find the couple during their covert vacation, and her team was leaning towards the idea that an individual employed by Mohamed likely disclosed the yacht’s location.
Brenna, himself, asserts that any tale suggesting his employment for taking those specific photos is purely “ridiculous and entirely fabricated.” Typically, he would be in Sardinia during that time of year to capture celebrities on vacation, he shared with the NY Times, and he considers it a “fortunate coincidence” or “great luck” that led him to spot Diana and Dodi.
He is, however, a real person, unlike longtime royal photographer “Duncan Muir,” so much a fixture in The Crown‘s world that the queen knows him by name.
The actual outdoorsy photos of Charles and his boys taken at Balmoral are credited to Tim Graham.
As the sun peeks over the horizon, even while Prince Charles describes his boys as still under their mother’s care during their slumber, I find myself drawn to the rugged cliffs of Balmoral for a solitary stroll. The salty breeze fills my lungs as I release a heartfelt cry, finding serenity in the unspoiled beauty that surrounds me.
Afterward, upon his arrival in Paris to retrieve Diana’s remains, there were audible sobs coming from within her hospital room. Overheard by the staff outside, one of her sisters subtly smirked, hinting at a tone of “At last, you show concern.” (The sister’s smirk was merely a hint.)
In a conversation with the Los Angeles Times, episode director Christian Schwochow shared that, according to a person present at the time, Charles reportedly let out a fierce, animalistic howl upon learning about his former wife’s demise.
As an ardent admirer putting myself in Prince William’s shoes, overhearing a heated debate among my father, grandparents, and the royal household concerning the royals’ need to publicly mourn Princess Diana more deeply, I found myself compelled to act. Slipping away from Balmoral Castle, I vanished for several hours, engulfed by the unpredictable Scottish weather in August. Upon my return, I walked through the castle doors, damp and silent, past a family filled with worry, even the Queen herself. Without uttering a word, I carried the weight of my emotions within me, a testament to the profound impact Diana left on our hearts.
It was while I was in Balmoral that I learned my mother had passed away. Overwhelmed by shock, I sought solace at the morning service at Crathie Kirk. Later, during the difficult times of mourning, I found consolation and peace in Scotland’s natural surroundings.” This is a more conversational paraphrase of William’s statement that maintains the original meaning while making it easier to understand for a general audience.
In his 2023 memoir, “Spare”, Harry didn’t discuss his brother leaving. Instead, he described the unusual days preceding their mother’s funeral as follows: “We all stayed within the castle walls. It felt like being inside a tomb…If anyone spoke about anything, I couldn’t make out what they were saying.
In the series, “The Crown,” we don’t witness any scenes from within royal funerals; however, the episode titled “Aftermath” concludes with William, Harry, Charles, Philip, and their uncle Earl Charles Spencer walking behind their mother’s casket. Despite not showing all of the royal funerals, the show does include a glimpse into the Muslim funeral service for Dodi.
The scene was filmed at London Central Mosque in Regent’s Park, where the actual funeral took place with little fanfare in 1997.
According to director Schwochow, the entire world discussed Diana’s passing and showed sympathy, but how many individuals genuinely cared about Dodi’s demise was a question he posed to the Los Angeles Times.
In “Ritz,” an episode that vividly portrays the downfall of Princess Margaret and is arguably one of the saddest installments in the whole series, there’s also a scene brimming with pure joy.
15-year-old Margaret (Beau Gadsdon) persuades 19-year-old Elizabeth (Viola Prettejohn) to secretly leave Buckingham Palace with her on Victory in Europe Day, May 8, 1945. They make their way to The Ritz London, where the refined festivities in the ballroom pale in comparison to the wild party happening downstairs.
Eventually, Elizabeth finds herself dancing until the early hours – sharing a dance and a kiss with a helpful soldier, a detail she confides in Margaret during their slightly intoxicated walk home the following morning. Needless to say, the future monarch asks Margaret to keep this secret.
Although it would have been an incredibly memorable event, there’s no specific record of what transpired that evening. However, as per Ann Morrow’s book, “The Queen,” they were granted access to celebrate alongside the thronging crowd outside the palace. The girls intertwined arms, sang, participated in conga lines, and danced with strangers.
Regardless of the different accounts, in both cases, Peter Townsend emerged as a protective figure in Margaret’s life.
On that extraordinary night depicted in “The Crown”, Margaret’s longing for a grand 70th birthday celebration at The Ritz was ignited, a venue where her actual party occurred on October 25, 2000. Notably, she arrived at the hotel in a Rolls Royce and, despite the persisting pain from the burn injuries she sustained in a bathtub accident the year prior, walked into the establishment independently.
In an unexpected change of events, it’s said that Philip was physically present at Margaret’s birthday celebration in reality, but he didn’t appear in ‘The Crown’. This absence sparked a witty remark from the queen about Henry “Porchey” Carnarvon, who she often found to be an exceptionally dependable confidant. Notably, Lord Carnarvon was also her go-to conversationalist on horse racing matters for many years.
As a devoted admirer of “The Crown,” I can’t help but immerse myself in the lives of its characters. On that fateful day, September 11, 2001, I found myself glued to the television, just like Lady Margaret. The horrifying terrorist attacks on American soil left me in disbelief, but little did I know that the shock was about to hit even closer to home for our beloved Queen’s confidante, Porchey. Learning of his sudden and tragic demise while watching the news felt like a gut punch – a poignant reminder of the far-reaching impact of those dark days.
On that fateful day, Porchey tragically passed away during surgery, following a heart attack immediately after witnessing the second plane strike the World Trade Center on live television, as detailed in Bedell Smith’s 2012 biography “Elizabeth the Queen,” where it is also mentioned that he was with his wife Jean Carnarvon.
“The queen was devastated,” Jean told the author. “It was so unexpected. It caught us all.”
In “The Crown,” Margaret communicates her funeral preferences to the queen, specifying that she wishes to be adorned in a floral dress, avoiding black or red lipstick, and requests the organist to perform the finale from “Swan Lake” as guests arrive. Her preferred flowers are roses and tulips.
On February 9, 2002, the younger sister of the queen passed away at the age of 71. A week later, on February 15th, her coffin, adorned with roses and tulips, was draped in a rose hue and filled with white roses and pink tulips. The mourners gathered to the tune of Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake” as they entered St. George’s Chapel in Windsor for her private funeral, as reported on that day. After the service, she became the first royal family member in six decades to be cremated, with her ashes laid to rest in the family vault beside her father, King George VI.
The beloved matriarch, often referred to as Elizabeth, sadly passed away at the age of 101, just under two months later, on March 30th.
In comparison to Beatlemania, yet significant, the phenomenon surrounding young Prince William, often called Wills, was quite substantial. This charismatic teenager was a recognized heartthrob both at home and abroad, causing quite a stir among girls when Charles brought his sons to Canada in 1998. The scene was reminiscent of a mob.
As a devoted admirer, I find it extremely improbable that 14-year-old me would be clipping pictures of Prince William from magazines, especially since my mother and I didn’t encounter him selling copies of The Big Issue on the street for charity – an act he has indeed performed in reality.
In the fictional setting, not just Kate and Will share a meaningful gaze, but Diana converses briefly with the young woman who is destined to become Kate’s future daughter-in-law.
If only.
Prior to their relationship, William and Kate were already acquainted, with Kate dating Rupert Finch during his fourth year, when an incident occurred at a charity fashion show. She donned a transparent dress that had quite an impact, causing William’s jaw to drop in surprise.
In my own words, I shared with Fergus Boyd, my confidant, that “Kate seems quite enchanting!” This intrigue stemmed from what royal biographer Katie Nicholl has revealed. It appears that at a gathering’s conclusion, William showed interest, yet Kate hesitated when he attempted to share a kiss, as per Nicholl’s book, The Making of a Royal Romance: William, Kate and Harry—A Look Behind the Palace Walls.
A pal of theirs observed and shared, “It was evident that William had developed feelings for Kate,” as he saw the instance himself. That evening, he even went so far as to tell her she was stunning, which made her cheeks redden.
Meanwhile, another guest at the gathering, Andrew Sands, mentioned that he noticed, from the corner of his eye, Will and Kate sharing a kiss towards the end of the night, as detailed in Nicholl’s 2013 book “Kate: The Future Queen”. Andrew stated, “People tried to act like they weren’t watching closely, but word quickly spread throughout St. Andrews later on.
As an ardent admirer, let me rephrase that in a more personal tone: Last year, The Crown found itself under intense scrutiny as it delved into the royals’ challenging time, often referred to as their annus horribilis. However, nothing stirred the former Prime Minister, John Major (portrayed by Jonny Lee Miller), more than a fictional scene where he and Prince Charles allegedly discussed the idea of Her Majesty giving up her throne.
The major criticized the portrayal as a “barrelful of malignant rubbish” and urged spectators to avoid watching season five (of The Crown, which received nominations for six more Emmys instead).
In the grand finale of the show, I found myself standing before Charles and Camilla on their April 9, 2005 wedding day, with a speech in hand. The anticipation was thick as everyone whispered about whether I was going to announce my abdication. Peter Morgan, unruffled by Major’s displeasure, had crafted this dramatic moment for all to witness.
Ever since I crossed paths with the spectral queens of yore, the enchanting duo played by none other than Claire Foy and Olivia Colman in The Crown, I’ve been gripped by an unquenchable fascination. Now, standing before my subjects on this momentous day, I found myself delving into a stack of cards for my wedding speech, only to glide past one particular card with a sense of purpose that left many questioning. Little did they know, there’s always more work to be done in the life of a queen.
On that specific day, the queen (who was absent during the civil vow ceremony but later participated in the church blessing with the newlyweds and hosted a reception for her son and his bride at Windsor Castle) used a metaphor from horse racing when commenting on Charles and Camilla’s lengthy journey to the altar.
For another seventeen years, the queen still had her reign ahead, clearly indicating that she wasn’t yet ready to retire or step aside.
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2024-09-12 19:28