The Crown: Fact Vs Fiction – What's Real And What's Not?

Let’s talk about The Crown, the Netflix drama that’s got everyone buzzing—including the actual royal family! According to The Daily Express, Queen Elizabeth herself watched the series after her son, Prince Edward, recommended it to her. But did she approve? “Happily, she really liked it,” a senior royal source revealed, “although, of course, there were some scenes that she thought were overly dramatized.” Now, let’s dive into the juicy details and figure out what’s based on fact and what’s pure fiction in The Crown.

Floral Myths: The Wedding of Queen Elizabeth

Here's a fun fact about Queen Elizabeth’s wedding at Westminster Abbey: it wasn’t the flower-filled spectacle that The Crown portrays. In reality, there were only two modest flower displays—one on each side of the altar. Why the understated approach? Well, the country was still recovering from World War II, so the wedding was scaled back for austerity reasons. Believe it or not, there were only 2,000 guests in attendance!

Was Queen Elizabeth Nervous on Her Wedding Day?

Now, let’s address the idea that Queen Elizabeth was a bundle of nerves during her wedding ceremony. According to her loving father, King George VI, this wasn’t the case at all. In a heartfelt letter to his daughter, he wrote, “You were so calm and composed during the service, and said your words with such conviction that I knew everything was alright.” So, it seems that the young queen-to-be handled the pressure with grace and poise.

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King George's Health: A Timeline Issue

The Crown shows King George VI struggling with illness much earlier than historical records suggest. According to historical accounts, the king wasn't diagnosed with lung cancer until 1951—four years after the show portrays him coughing up blood. Furthermore, when his lung was removed, only his wife was present, not the entire family as depicted in the series. These discrepancies remind us that The Crown takes creative liberties to enhance its storytelling.

Prince Philip's Alleged Coronation Rebellion

Prince Philip is portrayed in The Crown as someone who considered refusing to kneel during Queen Elizabeth’s coronation. However, historical experts like Christopher Wilson say this isn't accurate. While Philip did have his reservations about certain royal traditions, he understood his duties and was fully prepared to fulfill them in public. “He knew full well what was expected of him,” Wilson explained, “and he was prepared to go along with it.”

The Letter That Never Was

In The Crown, Queen Mary writes a heartfelt letter to Queen Elizabeth about the responsibilities of the crown. But as it turns out, this touching moment is pure fiction. According to POPSUGAR, there’s no evidence that such a letter was ever written. While Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth were close, this particular scene was dramatized for the show.

Queen Elizabeth and Porchie: A Lifelong Friendship

One of the more heartwarming relationships in The Crown is the friendship between Queen Elizabeth and Lord Porchester, affectionately known as Porchie. This friendship is rooted in reality—Queen Elizabeth and Porchie were childhood friends, and their bond lasted until his passing in 2001. Porchie even served as her racing manager starting in 1969. However, rumors of a romantic affair and suggestions that he might be Prince Andrew’s biological father remain unproven and are likely just gossip.

The Royal Name Debate

There’s no denying that the royal family faced some tension over what surname their children would use. Queen Elizabeth’s advisors were worried about using Prince Philip’s surname, Mountbatten, fearing the Mountbattens might overshadow the Windsors. Initially, Elizabeth decided her children would use Windsor, but she eventually compromised by choosing Mountbatten-Windsor. This decision reflects the delicate balance required in royal life.

Princess Margaret and Peter Townsend: A Tragic Love Story

The Crown accurately portrays Princess Margaret’s ill-fated romance with Peter Townsend. In real life, their relationship did require Queen Elizabeth’s approval for marriage, and Peter was deemed unsuitable because he had been married before. Ultimately, Princess Margaret ended the relationship. In his autobiography, Peter wrote, “She could have married me only if she had been prepared to give up everything—her position, her prestige, her privy purse.” It was a bittersweet tale of love and duty.

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The Duke and Duchess of Windsor: Family Nicknames

Through their personal letters, published in 1988, we’ve learned that the Duke and Duchess of Windsor had some rather amusing (and sometimes harsh) nicknames for their family members. The Queen Mother was called “the Scottish Cook” or “Cookie,” Queen Elizabeth was nicknamed “Shirley Temple,” and Winston Churchill earned the moniker “Cry Baby.” The Duke even referred to his family as “a smug, stinking lot” and “a seedy, worn-out bunch of old hags.” It’s clear that family drama wasn’t exclusive to The Crown’s storyline.

(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

A Fictional Character: Venetia Scott

While The Crown introduces us to Venetia Scott, Winston Churchill’s ill-fated secretary, it turns out she’s a creation of the show's writers. According to the Radio Times, no such person existed in real life. This is just another example of how The Crown blends fact and fiction to craft its compelling narrative.

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