The Queen 'annoyed' at The Crown's 'cruel' depiction of Prince Philip

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The Queen is reportedly 'upset' at how Prince Philip is depicted in The Crown. Photo: Getty Images
The Queen is reportedly 'upset' at how Prince Philip is depicted in The Crown. [Photo: Getty Images]

The Queen is reportedly both ‘upset’ and ‘annoyed’ at The Crown’s often-critical depiction of her husband, Prince Philip.

The shock response comes after Her Majesty’s initially positive reception to the Netflix program, which has found a worldwide fanbase since debuting on the platform in 2016.

But in the series’ second season, the duke is shown to be more harsh and distant towards his children - particularly Prince Charles.

This is perhaps most evident in an episode which details the young royal’s experience at Gordonstoun, a military-like boarding school in remote northern Scotland.

READ MORE: 'The Crown' season 3 confirmed for November launch by Netflix

Matt Smith plays Prince Philip in The Crown seasons one and two, and his is often seen to be harsh towards Prince Charles. Photo: Netflix
Matt Smith plays Prince Philip in The Crown seasons one and two, and his is often seen to be harsh towards Prince Charles. [Photo: Netflix]

Both in the show and in real life, Charles has been critical of his experience at the school, where it is widely acknowledged he was ‘mercilessly bullied’.

But his mother, the Queen is reportedly ‘upset’ at how her husband is shown to respond to their eldest son’s adolescent hardships, and even calls him “bloody weak” for once crying.

Change of tune

"(The Queen) was upset by the way Prince Philip is depicted as being a father insensitive to his son’s wellbeing,” a palace source told The Express.

"She was particularly annoyed at a scene in which Philip has no sympathy for a plainly upset Charles while he is flying him home from Scotland.

“That simply did not happen."

Despite the Queen’s apparent change of stance towards the blockbuster series, fans are excitedly anticipating its return - with season three set to debut in November.

On-set snaps from recent filming show the new cast mirroring the famous family they play - with Oscar-winner Olivia Colman playing the Queen while Tobias Menzies will take over the role of Prince Philip.

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