What have the Royal Family said about 'The Crown'?

What do the Royal Family make of 'The Crown'? (Photo by James Devaney/Getty Images)
What do the Royal Family make of 'The Crown'? (Photo by James Devaney/Getty Images)

The Crown has proven to be a success with viewers and critics alike, but is it a hit with the Royal Family themselves?

Understandably, Queen Elizabeth II might not be so forthcoming about whether she settles down with Prince Philip and pops on Netflix to watch a dramatised retelling of her reign but the same can't be said for her extended family.

While it seems the prominent members of the famous clan have chosen to keep quiet about the programme, some of the peripheral royals have commented on the award winning series and there have been a few whispers about who might be fan.

The Queen

Vanessa Kirby heard through a source that one of the Queen's granddaughters said she 'kind of likes' The Crown. (Photo by Ben Stansall - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Vanessa Kirby heard through a source that one of the Queen's granddaughters said she 'kind of likes' The Crown. (Photo by Ben Stansall - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Although the Queen has never spoken about the historical drama in public, Princess Margaret star Vanessa Kirby has said she heard the monarch could be a fan through the grapevine thanks to a "reliable source" in one of the princesses.

"A friend of mine was at a party where he didn’t know anyone, so sidled up to a group who were discussing the show," she said on The Graham Norton Show.

Read more: Why The Crown season 4 is the show’s best yet

"One of the women said, ‘My granny kind of likes it.’ It turns out it was one of the princesses—The Queen’s granddaughter. It’s quite a reliable source–ish–so I am sure she is a fan."

Judging by Kirby's account, it must have been either Princess Eugenie, Princess Beatrice, or Zara Tindall. The Queen's youngest granddaughter Lady Louise can probably be ruled out on account of being a bit too young for partying just yet.

Prince Harry

September 15th 2020 - Prince Harry The Duke of Sussex celebrates his 36th birthday. He was born on September 15th 1984 at St. Mary's Hospital in London, England, United Kingdom. - File Photo by: zz/KGC-375/STAR MAX/IPx 2019 5/29/19 Prince Harry The Duke of Sussex during a garden party at Buckingham Palace in London, England, UK.
Prince Harry The Duke of Sussex during a garden party at Buckingham Palace in London, England, UK (zz/KGC-375/STAR MAX/IPx 2019 5/29/19)

Prince Harry is reportedly hoping the series comes to an end before he can be introduced.

His biographer Angela Levin shared on BBC Breakfast earlier this year that he vowed to halt the programme before he could be portrayed.

“Harry, when I went to interview him in the palace, the first thing he said to me when he shook my hand was, ‘Are you watching The Crown?’” explained Levin.

“And I hadn’t been at the time, I felt very embarrassed, and I got it, and he said, ‘I’m going to make sure I stop it before they get to me.’”

Luckily for him, creator Peter Morgan has revealed the show won’t get that far.

Prince William

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attend the EE British Academy Film Awards 2020 at Royal Albert Hall on February 2, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attend the EE British Academy Film Awards 2020. (Photo by Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)

Prince William has not voiced an opinion either way, but he did appear to make reference to the show in his speech at the 2020 Baftas.

“I am particularly proud to stand here tonight having served as BAFTA’s President for the last 10 years” he stated in part of his address.

“However, I must admit I don’t know whether I should be proud, or slightly alarmed, about the number of winners over the last decade who have portrayed members of my own family.”

Watch: The Crown season 4 trailer

He appeared to hint toward the likes of Olivia Colman who won Best Actress the previous year for her role as Queen Anne in The Favourite and who plays his grandmother in the third and fourth seasons.

Colman herself can confirm that the Prince doesn’t watch it thanks to a slightly awkward interaction.

The Oscar winner told Graham Norton on his chat show: “I met Prince William at a dinner, and he asked what I was doing at the moment before he quickly added, ‘Actually, I know what you’re doing.’

“I was so excited and asked, ‘Have you watched it?’ His answer was a firm, ‘No.’ But he was very charming and very lovely.”

Princess Anne

The Princess Royal, Vice-Patron of the equine charity, The British Horse Society, visiting the Addington Equestrian Centre near Buckingham. PA Photo. Picture date: Monday March 16, 2020. (Photo by Steve Parsons/PA Images via Getty Images)
The Princess Royal, Vice-Patron of the equine charity, The British Horse Society, visiting the Addington Equestrian Centre near Buckingham. PA Photo. Picture date: Monday March 16, 2020. (Photo by Steve Parsons/PA Images via Getty Images)

Princess Anne shared in an ITV documentary celebrating her 70th birthday that she had watched some earlier episodes and found them to be "quite interesting", although she no longer tunes in.

An adult Princess Royal was introduced to the drama in series three with Erin Doherty playing the monarch's only daughter, but the real Anne was surprised to learn it took her around two hours to get her hair done for the role.

She said: “Actually I read an article the other day about The Crown, the actress was talking about how long it took them to do their hair like I did.

“And I’m thinking, ‘How could you possibly take that long?’ I mean it takes me 10 or 15 minutes.”

Arthur Chatto

The Queen's 21-year-old great-nephew Arthur Chatto, who is 26th in the line of succession, has openly said he's seen The Crown.

Read more: Emma Corrin says The Crown will tackle Diana’s bulimia ‘properly’

He's the grandson of Princess Margaret, who was played by Vanessa Kirby in the first two seasons and Helena Bonham Carter in three and four.

“Yes, I have watched it. I guess it’s only an interpretation,” he told The Telegraph. “So I just kind of remember what they’re actually like and don’t let the TV persona mar my judgment of any of them."

Zara and Mike Tindall

Zara Tindall and Mike Tindall attend day 4 'Gold Cup Day' of the Cheltenham Festival 2020 at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 13, 2020 in Cheltenham, England. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
Zara Tindall and Mike Tindall attend day 4 'Gold Cup Day' of the Cheltenham Festival 2020 at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 13, 2020 in Cheltenham, England. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

The Princess Royal’s daughter Zara and her husband Mike Tindall also don’t want it to get to the point where they’re included.

"I hope to God they don't go that far," Mike told Alex Payne on the podcast Joe UK's House of Rugby, but that didn’t stop him from suggesting who he’d like to impersonate him.

Read more: Elizabeth Debicki confirmed to play Princess Diana in The Crown seasons 5 & 6

Joking about who he wanted to portray him, he went on: "Series 35. Jason Statham, you’re welcome."

Meanwhile, Zara was angling for either Margot Robbie or Charlize Theron.

The Crown season 4 launches on Netflix on Sunday 15 November.

Advertisement