Anger at Mountbatten role for IRA editor’s girl: Roy Greenslade’s stepdaughter lands a part in The Crown

• Penny Junor said The Crown should have considered another actress 
• Comes after Natascha McElhone’s stepfather Greenslade revealed IRA support  
• Countess Mountbatten married grandson of Lord Mountbatten
• Miss McElhone will play Countess Mountbatten in The Crown 

A royal biographer has hit out at The Crown for casting the stepdaughter of IRA supporter Roy Greenslade in the role of Countess Mountbatten.

Penny Junor said Natascha McElhone, 51, was not responsible for the ‘sins of her stepfather’.

But she said another actress should have been considered because of the role’s sensitive nature.

Penny Junor, (pictured) royal biographer, said Natascha McElhone, 51, was not responsible for the ‘sins of her stepfather’ who recently revealed he is an IRA supporter. But she said another actress should have been considered because of the role’s sensitive nature

Former Fleet Street editor Greenslade revealed his support for the IRA earlier this year.

Lord Mountbatten was killed by an IRA bomb in 1979. Penelope Knatchbull, who Miss McElhone will play, married his grandson.

 Miss Junor told The Daily Telegraph: ‘I think it shows a lack of respect.

‘Of course, you cannot visit the sins of the father on the daughter but there are lots of actresses out there.

‘It just feels slightly two fingers.’

Lord Mountbatten was killed along with his 14-year-old grandson Nicholas Knatchbull and his grandmother Baroness Brabourne after the IRA planted a bomb on board a fishing boat in County Sligo.

Paul Maxwell, 15, a member of the crew, was also killed.

Ms Junor added that the latest series out of The Crown, out next November, will ‘raise eyebrows in so many ways’ due to coverage of ‘recent history’ including the breakdown of the Prince and Princess of Wales’s marriage.

The Crown was contacted for comment.

Lord Mountbatten was killed by an IRA bomb in 1979. Penelope Knatchbull, who Miss McElhone will play, married his grandson. Pictured: The Queen and Penelope Knatchbull at the Royal Windsor Horse Show 

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