The Crown: Expert slams 'mischaracterisation' of Queen Mother

The Queen Mother has been “mischaracterised consistently” since Season 1 of The Crown, according to a royal biographer. Vanity Fair contributing editor Sally Bedell Smith joined the Royally Obsessed podcast to dissect the controversial latest season of the Netflix show. She explained why so many experts and royal associates were so “distressed” at the release.

Ms Bedell Smith told listeners: “It’s funny because in the run-up, there were all sorts of reviews saying this was the best season of The Crown. I think it’s the worst. I really do.

“I think the dramatic liberties that he [creator Peter Morgan] has taken have taken a sour turn.

“For example, the Queen Mother has been mischaracterised so consistently, even from the first season to this season.

“The others are mischaracterised in one degree or another.”

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She continued: “I think people like me and so many others are distressed about this season.

“We are dealing with portrayal of the heir to the throne in a harshly negative light.

“He was portrayed in Season 3 somewhat sympathetically.

“I said to people, ‘just wait ’till Season 4, the tables will be turned’.”

Kate Middleton compared to Queen Mother by expert in 2016

The royal biographer went on to debunk many of the show’s scenes, including one in which Diana, Princess of Wales, finds a bracelet that Prince Charles had made for Camilla Parker Bowles.

Ms Bedell Smith told the podcast that the gift was one of dozen that the Prince of Wales had had made at the time.

According to a “solid source”, Charles had given these as presents to special people in his life before he got married.

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However, the historian’s concerns have been shared with many other experts and commentators.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden even waded into the debate, telling the Mail on Sunday: “It’s a beautifully produced work of fiction, so as with other TV productions, Netflix should be very clear at the beginning it is just that,’ he told The Mail on Sunday.

“Without this, I fear a generation of viewers who did not live through these events may mistake fiction for fact.”

Netflix eventually issued a statement to the Mail on Sunday: “We have always presented The Crown as a drama — and we have every confidence our members understand it’s a work of fiction that’s broadly based on historical events.

“As a result we have no plans, and see no need, to add a disclaimer.”

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