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Prince Philip wanted to sue over The Crown storyline

A particular storyline in The Crown left Prince Philip so deeply “upset” he engaged his lawyers about suing the hit Netflix series, a royal expert says.

Prince Philip wanted to sue The Crown after an episode of the hit show blamed him for the death of his sister, a royal expert has revealed.

The Duke of Edinburgh spoke to his lawyers after Netflix’s depiction of his sister Princess Cecilie’s death in a plane crash left him deeply “upset”, The Sun reported.

Hugo Vickers, a royal historian and author, told The Sunday Times: “I know Prince Philip consulted his lawyer about it, to ask ‘What can I do about it?’

“He was very upset about the way that was portrayed. He was human. He could be hurt like anybody else.”

Cecilie, 26, had given birth during the doomed flight, shortly before the plane crashed into a factory tower in Belgium in November 1937.

The baby’s body was found in the wreckage alongside Cecilie, her husband and two young sons, near the Belgian city of Ostend.

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Prince Philip was reportedly ‘upset’ about The Crown’s portrayal of his sister Cecilie’s death in a plane crash in 1937. Picture: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images
Prince Philip was reportedly ‘upset’ about The Crown’s portrayal of his sister Cecilie’s death in a plane crash in 1937. Picture: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images
Claire Foy and Matt Smith played Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in the first two seasons of the Netflix hit. Picture: Netflix.
Claire Foy and Matt Smith played Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in the first two seasons of the Netflix hit. Picture: Netflix.

Prince Philip later recalled his “profound shock” when he was called into his headmaster’s office to be told his older sister had died.

The Crown portrays Cecilie’s decision to fly from Germany to London as a reaction to Philip, then 16, having problems at school, but this was not the case in real life.

A scene dramatising Cecilie’s funeral shows their father, Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark, say: “I’m surprised he dare show himself here.

“Had it not been for Philip and his indiscipline she would never have taken that flight. It’s true, isn’t it boy?

“You’re the reason we’re all here burying my favourite child. Get him out of here.”

The imagined scenes came in the penultimate episode of the second series, first broadcast in 2017, and did not have a fictional disclaimer.

Prince Philip was “so upset”, according to a close friend.

A news report of the November 1937 crash that killed Prince Philip's oldest sister and her family.
A news report of the November 1937 crash that killed Prince Philip's oldest sister and her family.
The Crown’s depiction of Cecilie’s funeral featuring a teenage Philip, who the show claims was blamed by his father for the tragedy. Picture: Netflix
The Crown’s depiction of Cecilie’s funeral featuring a teenage Philip, who the show claims was blamed by his father for the tragedy. Picture: Netflix

He contacted royal lawyers Farrer & Co over the scenes, according to The Sunday Times, but did not pursue any action.

It is the latest in a string of controversies sparked by The Crown, which has been accused of broadcasting sensationalised storylines.

The show’s bosses are also under fire over scenes suggesting Prince Philip – who is now portrayed by Jonathan Pryce – had an affair with a female friend.

The show also recreates Diana’s final tragic moments in Paris, with her former butler alleging the late princess would be “screaming” at how she is portrayed elsewhere in the show.

The fifth season ignored heartfelt pleas from Prince William not to exploit the notorious Martin Bashir Panorama interview with his mum.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission

Read related topics:Netflix

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/streaming/prince-philip-wanted-to-sue-over-the-crown-storyline/news-story/500552bcc2902a0bb30068162cfd1c45