Apparently King Charles once watched Netflix’s hit The Crown—centered around the life of Queen Elizabeth II and the British Royal Family—but stopped watching when the series came “too close to the bone” about his marriage to his first wife, the late Princess Diana, The Daily Express reports.
The outlet reports that “the King was one of the few royal family members who was said to have engaged with the controversial Netflix series” but that he “stopped watching” after “sensitive events from his relationship with the late Princess Diana were played out [on]screen.” Season four followed the 1980s, the decade Charles married Diana in 1981, had two sons with her in 1982 and 1984, and, ultimately, resumed an affair with longtime friend Camilla Parker-Bowles, no doubt adding to strains in the union. Season five—released this week—covers the 1990s, with the Wales’ marriage ultimately breaking down, seeing the couple separate in 1992 and ultimately divorce in 1996.
While researching for her latest book, The New Royals, royal expert Katie Nicholl told True Royalty TV she asked about the royal family’s interest in The Crown. “[The Queen] was absolutely aware of these programs and the films and was never going to watch any of those herself, but other members of the royal family have watched episodes,” she said. “I’m told that Camilla has watched all of them. Whether or not she’s watched this latest series, I’ll have to come back to you. Charles watched it and stopped watching it at the last series because he felt that it got too close to the bone. I’m assuming from Harry’s comments he has absolutely seen it, and I don’t know about William.”
Harry, of course, has inked—along with wife Meghan Markle—a multimillion-dollar deal with the streaming service to produce content. The couple’s first offering, a docuseries about their lives, is due out early next year.
In season five, Charles is played by Dominic West, with Elizabeth Debicki taking on the role of Diana. “Perhaps the most highly criticized element is The Crown created a dramatized account of Princess Diana’s interview with BBC Panorama,” The Daily Express reports. “The interview, which took place in 1995, was later found to have breached ‘integrity’ guidelines after it was revealed journalist Martin Bashir fabricated documents to gain access to the then Princess of Wales.”
The leadup to the interview, the interview itself, and the fallout from it are all depicted in season five, which will likely frustrate members of the royal family, in particular Diana’s sons William and Harry, who have both previously spoken out against it.
“The interview was a major contribution to making my parents’ relationship worse and has since hurt countless others,” William said in 2021. “It is my firm view that this Panorama program holds no legitimacy and should never be aired again. It effectively established a false narrative which, for over a quarter of a century, has been commercialized by the BBC and others.”
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
Lest we forget, though, that it was actually Charles who struck first in the television wars between he and Diana: his interview with Jonathan Dimbleby, which is also depicted on The Crown, was taped the year prior, in 1994.
Rachel Burchfield is a writer, editor, and podcaster whose primary interests are fashion and beauty, society and culture, and, most especially, the British Royal Family and other royal families around the world. She serves as Marie Claire’s Senior Celebrity and Royals Editor and has also contributed to publications like Allure, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, People, Vanity Fair, Vogue, and W, among others. Before taking on her current role with Marie Claire, Rachel served as its Weekend Editor and later Royals Editor. She is the cohost of Podcast Royal, a show that was named a top five royal podcast by The New York Times. A voracious reader and lover of books, Rachel also hosts I’d Rather Be Reading, which spotlights the best current nonfiction books hitting the market and interviews the authors of them. Rachel frequently appears as a media commentator, and she or her work has appeared on outlets like NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, CNN, and more.
-
Jess Hong Enters Her Chaotic Era
She was doing kids’ theater in New Zealand when she landed the leading role on Netflix’s epic ‘3 Body Problem.’ And now that the show is No. 1 on the streamer, her whole world is about to change.
By Jessica M. Goldstein Published
-
39 J.Crew, Reformation, and COS Items That Are Ideal for Spring Travel
Spring ready.
By Allyson Payer Published
-
Taylor Swift Breaks Yet Another Music-Industry Record
This is pretty much the norm now, no?
By Meghan De Maria Published
-
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Are Reportedly Being “Left Out of Any Details Regarding Kate”
The Prince and Princess of Wales have a tighter-than-ever circle around them as Kate recovers from abdominal surgery.
By Marie Claire Editors Published
-
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Bios on the Official Royal Family Website Look Really Different Today
It’s apparently a result of a “long overdue update.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
If You Want to Buy Jellies and Jams, Napkin Rings, and Recipe Books from Meghan Markle, You're In Luck
Here’s what we know about Meghan’s new lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard—including the poignant reason why she likely chose to hard launch it yesterday.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Would Have Been "Annihilated" Over William and Kate Photo "Mistake," Source Says
She's a perfectionist.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
‘Deal or No Deal’ Host Howie Mandel Admits, for the Life of Him, He Can’t Remember Meghan Markle or This Fellow A-Lister Being on the Show
For her part, Meghan will tell you it wasn't her favorite gig.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Have a "Golden Opportunity" to Reconcile With the Royals Amid Wales Drama, Publicist Says
They're sadly used to dealing with negative press.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
If Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Were Still Working Royals, They’d Basically Be Leading the Show Right Now
“They desperately need him, and nobody could have foreseen the set of circumstances that would expose that so dramatically.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Meghan Markle Will Likely Have a “Lead Role” in Ending Prince William and Prince Harry’s Yearslong Feud, Expert Says
Will peace, at last, be restored?
By Rachel Burchfield Published