As the second season of The Crown graces our Netflix dashboards, taking us on a journey into the social upheaval of the 1960s with Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, and Princess Margaret at the forefront, it’s only natural to wonder: what do the real-life royals think about this global phenomenon? Specifically, what does Her Majesty and her husband make of Peter Morgan turning their lives—both public and private—into a lavish drama streamed by millions worldwide?
Prince Philip's Reaction to 'The Crown'
Actor Matt Smith, who portrayed a young Prince Philip in the first two seasons of The Crown, recently shared his insights in an interview with the Observer. While Matt hasn't had the chance to meet the Duke of Edinburgh in person, he recounted a story told by “a man of prominence in the film world” who found himself seated next to Philip at a prestigious dinner at Buckingham Palace. The anecdote sheds light on Philip’s thoughts—or lack thereof—about the show.
Apparently, during the dinner, Prince Philip casually inquired, “What do you do? Are you involved in this… Crown thing?” The source, emboldened by the moment, eventually mustered the courage to ask the Duke directly, “Philip, I’m just wondering, because I have some friends who made The Crown, have you watched any?” According to the Observer, Philip’s response was a stern pause followed by a glare, exclaiming, “Don’t. Be. Ridiculous.”
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Matt Smith, reflecting on the story, remarked, “Whether it’s true or not, I don’t know, but I just think he’s a bit of a cool cat.” Matt admires Philip’s independent spirit, explaining, “He’s done what he wants, when he wants, how he wants, with whom he wants. And his wife’s the Queen.”
Queen Elizabeth's Stance on 'The Crown'
While The Crown may not have won over its principal male figure, it seems Queen Elizabeth holds a more favorable view. Earlier this year, a royal insider revealed that her son Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie, introduced the Queen to the Netflix series. It’s a well-established tradition that Edward and Sophie drive to Windsor Castle on weekends to enjoy an informal supper with the Queen, often accompanied by watching TV or a movie. They have a Netflix account and enthusiastically encouraged Her Majesty to watch the show with them.
“Happily, she really liked it,” the source told The Express, adding that while the Queen enjoyed the series, she did find some depictions of events to be overly dramatized. It’s clear that while the Queen appreciates the entertainment value of The Crown, she recognizes it as a dramatization rather than a documentary.
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
Final Thoughts
While The Crown continues to captivate audiences worldwide, it’s fascinating to delve into the personal reactions of the real-life figures whose stories it tells. From Prince Philip's apparent disinterest to Queen Elizabeth's appreciation, the royal family's relationship with the series paints a nuanced picture of their views on modern media. This post was written by Kate Wagner and originally appeared on our sister site, Grazia Daily.
