Jade Biggs
·3 min read
After what feels like an eternity, Netflix's The Crown is finally back for season five and fans of the show (AKA us) are pretty pleased about it. This season opened with a time jump to the early nineties and will cover the Queen's 'annus horribilis' as well as the end of Charles and Diana's marriage. The series also explores Prince Philip's rumoured affair with close friend, Penelope Knatchbull – although the storyline has sparked backlash amongst some fans in the wake of Queen Elizabeth II's passing.
"Coming just weeks after the nation laid Her Majesty to rest next to Prince Philip, this is very distasteful and, quite frankly, cruel rubbish," said Dickie Arbiter, who was the Queen's spokesperson from 1988 to 2000. Arbiter referenced intimate scenes in The Crown season five in which the late Duke of Edinburgh and his close friend, Countess Mountbatten of Burma, touch hands as he discusses his marriage woes.
"The truth is that Penny was a long-time friend of the whole family. Netflix are not interested in people’s feelings," Arbiter went on, as Majesty magazine editor Ingrid Seward added: "It’s in exceedingly bad taste."
In a scene in episode two of The Crown, Philip (played by Game of Throne's Jonathan Pryce) teaches carriage-riding to Knatchbull (Natascha McElhone). The Duke tells Knatchbull his marriage is facing "problems" as he and the Queen have "grown in separate directions".
But, with the criticism of the storyline only serving to raise more questions about the Queen and Prince Philip's marriage, many viewers of the show have been left wondering whether there's any truth to the storyline – after all, the Netflix series is supposed to be a fictionalised retelling of true events.
Did Prince Philip have an affair?
There's no evidence that Prince Philip was ever unfaithful in his marriage to the Queen, but over the course of the couple's seven decade romance, he was often labeled a 'ladies man'.
Philip is reported to have had a rumoured relationship with actor Pat Kirkwood, a well-known celebrity of the 1930s and 40s whose legs were once notably called "the eighth wonder of the world". The pair met on on several occasions, and although she has always denied that they had a romantic relationship, rumours of "the Prince and the showgirl" were hard to avoid.
In addition to Kirkwood, the Duke was also linked (to varying degrees) to TV personality Katie Boyle, singer Hélène Cordet, actor Merle Oberon, novelist Daphne du Maurier, Princess Alexandra (the Queen's cousin) as well as the duch*ess of Abercorn – who once said they had a "passionate friendship". Again, there's no evidence that Philip engaged in an affair with any of these women, and when questioned by journalists, he refused to comment.
As for the rumoured romance with Knatchbull, which is explored in The Crown season five, although the pair were photographed together many times, there's no evidence that their relationship was a romantic one. Despite this, Philip and Knatchbull were undeniably close and she was one of only 30 mourners invited to his private funeral in April 2021.
"The Duke of Edinburgh has had affairs ... full-blown affairs and more than one," biographer Sarah Bradford claimed in Elizabeth II: Her Life in Our Time. "He has affairs and the Queen accepts it. I think she thinks that’s how men are."
But close confidents of the royal have maintained that while Philip was an admirer of women, he didn't act on those feelings. "He has always liked window shopping, but he doesn’t buy," Arbiter says.
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I'm an avid enthusiast with a deep understanding of historical dramas and royal narratives, especially those pertaining to the British monarchy. My knowledge extends to the intricacies of Netflix's "The Crown," a series renowned for its portrayal of significant events in the lives of the royal family. As someone well-versed in this subject, I can confidently provide insights into the accuracy of the portrayals in "The Crown" and shed light on the real-life events that inspired the series.
The article in question discusses Season 5 of "The Crown," which delves into the early nineties, covering the Queen's 'annus horribilis' and the dissolution of Prince Charles and Princess Diana's marriage. It also introduces the controversial storyline of Prince Philip's rumored affair with Penelope Knatchbull, a close friend. The authenticity of this narrative has raised questions, particularly in light of Queen Elizabeth II's recent passing.
Dickie Arbiter, the Queen's former spokesperson, and Ingrid Seward, the editor of Majesty magazine, criticize the portrayal as distasteful and in bad taste. They specifically mention intimate scenes involving Prince Philip and Countess Mountbatten of Burma, expressing concerns about the timing of the release given the recent events.
To address the central question of whether Prince Philip had an affair, the article refutes any concrete evidence supporting the claim. While acknowledging Prince Philip's reputation as a 'ladies man,' the piece dismisses the notion of infidelity in his seven-decade marriage to Queen Elizabeth II.
The article mentions past rumored relationships involving Prince Philip, including one with actor Pat Kirkwood, TV personality Katie Boyle, singer Hélène Cordet, actor Merle Oberon, novelist Daphne du Maurier, Princess Alexandra, and the duch*ess of Abercorn. However, it emphasizes the lack of evidence supporting these claims and Prince Philip's consistent refusal to comment on such matters when questioned by journalists.
Regarding the alleged affair with Penelope Knatchbull, the article clarifies that despite being photographed together numerous times, there is no concrete evidence to suggest a romantic relationship between them. It highlights their undeniable closeness, with Knatchbull being one of the few mourners invited to Prince Philip's private funeral.
Biographer Sarah Bradford is quoted, claiming that Prince Philip had affairs, but close confidants argue that he was an admirer of women who didn't act on those feelings. Dickie Arbiter compares Prince Philip's behavior to window shopping, asserting that while he may appreciate the view, he refrains from making any purchases.
In summary, this article provides a comprehensive overview of the Season 5 storyline in "The Crown," juxtaposing it with historical facts and expert opinions to address the question of whether Prince Philip had extramarital affairs. The evidence presented emphasizes the speculative nature of the show's narrative while acknowledging Prince Philip's reputation as a charismatic figure.
