Just a bit about The Crown
During this corona period, we have a need for escapism, I read today in the Volkskrant. And so we dive collectively into MAFS, devouring The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills with my friends The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (long live HAYU.com, where you can watch all the seasons that Netflix doesn't have) or you can enjoy The Crown again. The latter seems more useful than everything I mentioned earlier, as it is informative and feeds your historical knowledge. That is true, but not everything you see is as it actually happened. Of course, there are always small things that the creators might overlook, like an extra with braces (which didn't exist back then) or a much too modern apartment building (something went wrong with the keying of the old buildings), but there are also things that the creators really changed to spice up the series dramatically.
The list is long, so I'll pick a few.
1. Margaret did not say that Charles and Diana's marriage should be canceled
In the series, it is portrayed that Margaret would know how painful a marriage can be between two people who are not a match and would have wanted to intervene. In reality, such a thing would be unthinkable. Not that she would think of it, but that she would say it. It turns out to be an idea from Helena Bonham-Carter to give her role more depth. Fine, but historically not correct.
2. The disappearance of her son did not affect Thatcher until the Falklands War
In the series, it is suggested that Thatcher is so emotional about her son who is missing for six days in the Sahara that she acts more impulsively because of it. In reality, her son was already back (in February) when the Falklands War began (in April), so you can dismiss that argument.
3. There is no evidence that Lord Mountbatten and the queen tried to drive a wedge between Charles and Camilla.
Of course, they were not fans of the relationship, but the only thing Lord Mountbatten supposedly said is that Charles should first lose his wild ways before settling down in a marriage. It seems he listened to that and enjoyed life for a while. After that, Camilla would have found the arms of Andrew Parker Bowles and Charles regretted it. At least, that's what is said. I wasn't there, unfortunately.
Image: Netflix
