The Queen is a fan of Netflix’s The Crown
David Farnor | On 28, May 2017
One is a fan of Netflix’s The Crown, it has been reported this weekend. Yes, The Queen herself has apparently watched the streaming giant’s sumptuous royal drama, which portrays Elizabeth’s early days getting to grips with the job of running the country, the sadness of losing her father and the romancing of her and husband Prince Philip.
The show has been a huge hit since its premiere last year, getting a rave review from us and winning two Golden Globes. While Claire Foy, Matt Smith and the other cast and creators were all too happy to talk at length about the programme, though, one question has gone unanswered until now: has the real Elizabeth actually seen it?
Now, that mystery has been answered, with The Express quoting a senior royal source as saying that Her Majesty has, indeed, binge-watched her way through the 10-episode first season.
When you're in a spot of bother, there's only one word for it. pic.twitter.com/cBUp3wZpi6
— The Crown (@TheCrownNetflix) May 1, 2017
She was apparently encouraged to do so by her son and daughter-in-law, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, who have a long-standing routine of visiting Windsor on Saturdays for food and – yes – a movie or TV show. One Netflix night in led to them recommending The Crown – and, according to this source, “she really liked it, although obviously there were some depictions of events that she found too heavily dramatised”.
“Edward and Sophie love The Crown,” added the source, with Princess Eugenie also telling the newspaper they are fans: “The music is wonderful; the story is beautiful and you feel very proud to watch it.”
Mike Tindall, who is married to the Queen’s granddaughter, Zara, has also said they’re addicted to the show, praising Claire Foy, in particular: “She’s brilliant, the one who plays the Queen. I think it’s a great show in terms of how they delivered it.”
The royal seal of approval arrives as filming ends on Season 2 of the series, which will premiere later this year – and will mark the final time that Foy and Smith will play Elizabeth and Philip, as it covers the period between 1955 and 1964, after which new actors will be needed to play the older couple. What the Queen will make of that season is another matter entirely.