‘The Crown’: What Royal Family Thinks About The Netflix Drama

The 2016 Netflix series ‘The Crown’ is an honest representation of royal life. Unlike a fantasy, it shows the ups and downs and the struggles it taxes the Royals of the United Kingdom. Season five of the series premiered on 9 November 2022. This season, following the death of the former Queen of England, Elizabeth II revolves around the life and reign of the late monarch in the twenty-first century. According to Elle, season six shall be the series’ last.

It is a drama favorite as it covers complicated relationships and dark truths based on real-life stories of the royals. That’s why the series has won seven Golden Globes Awards, ten Primetime Emmy Awards, and overall one hundred twenty-nine accolades over its six years. So, has the regal family watched it? It is only natural for the aristocracy to be curious about their life story presented on the screen. While the show is thoroughly entertaining, the cast of royals is not always portrayed in an innocent light. This has led to mixed feedback from them. Let’s read what the Royal family has to say about their characters and the series.

Late Queen Elizabeth II

In an interview with Vanity Fair, Vanessa Kirby, who played Princess Margaret, in the initial two seasons, narrated how the Queen liked the show. “A friend of mine was at a party and didn’t know anyone, so he sidled up to this group who were talking about The Crown, when one said, ‘Well, my granny watches it and really likes it”. It later dawned on the actress that the woman Princess Eugenie and her “granny” was none other than the Queen herself!

Matt Smith, who was Prince Phillip in the first and second seasons of ‘The Crown’ has many anecdotes to share relating to the Royal family. Smith in an interview with the Today show shared, “she used to watch it on a projector on a Sunday night.” Her Majesty was urged by her son Prince Edward to watch the show and she gladly liked it. According to the Cosmopolitan, the Queen appreciated the initial season but found the latter ” too heavily dramatized.”

Prince Harry And Megan Markle

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex in a two-hour interview with Oprah agreed to have watched the show. Later in 2021, Prince Harry on the Late Night Show With James Corden revealed his personal views on the Netflix series. “I’m way more comfortable with The Crown than I am seeing the stories written about my family, or my wife, or myself” spoke the royal. Harry explained how the show is a fictional work that doesn’t bother him. However, he plainly showed his disappointment with media and reporters in light of his marriage to the black American actress, Megan Markle.

He expressed that the media doesn’t handle content properly and are “reported on as fact” ” I have a real issue with that” ended the Prince. Later the Duke humorously pitched Damian Lewis, the Homeland star, to be cast as Prince Harry on the show. Harry and Megan have themselves worked with Netflix on “Megan & Harry: A Royal Baby Story”

King Charles III

According to Cosmopolitan, King Charles thinks that the series has not shown the correct portrayal of the family. Scottish minister, Anas Sawar related her with the King then Prince. She said the King introduced himself, “Hello, nice to meet you all. I’m nowhere near how they portray me on Netflix.” Intrigued by this greeting she commented, ” I thought that was a really interesting way of how you describe yourself. I’m going to be in so much trouble for this because I don’t think you are meant to tell private conversations.”

The King has even met with the cast of ‘The Crown’. Matt Smith, who plays the King’s father in the drama series, told that he met him. Smith approached the King and told him he had fabulous shoes.

Prince William

Prince William is not a fan of the Netflix drama. Olivia Colman who plays Queen Elizabeth in the series related to having an awkward conversation with the Prince. The actress was at a Buckingham Palace reception and meet with the Prince of Wales. “He asked what I was doing at the moment before he quickly added, ‘Actually, I know what you’re doing,” said Olivia.

Olivia related this on The Graham Norton Show. She, excited, asked “‘Have you watched it?’ His answer was a firm no. But he was very charming and very lovely.” Though he hasn’t watched the series, sources say he was not fond of season four.

Princess Eugenie

Along with her granny, Princess Eugenie also watched ‘The Crown’. The beautiful princess says words as pretty as herself. She had just watched a couple of episodes and they were enough to get her hooked. The princess stated to Hello magazine, “It is filmed beautifully”.

“The music is wonderful, the story is beautiful. You feel very proud to watch it. I can’t speak for everyone, but that’s how I felt when I watched it.” she commented to the magazine. It might be easier to comment on the show when your life’s story is not presented before the whole world to judge and criticize. The Crown season five can be streamed on Netflix and this time Imelda Staunton is cast as Queen Elizabeth II.