Controversial TV drama The Crown is at the centre of a new row about its historical accuracy – this time centred around the Duke of Edinburgh ’s Scottish schooldays.
The Netflix TV show has captivated viewers and critics alike with its account of the monarchy in the 50s and 60s.
But it has become mired in accusations that many of the incidents depicted by writer Peter Morgan have been fabricated.
Now boarding school Gordonstoun, in Elgin, Moray, is at the centre of the latest controversy over scenes in the eighth episode of the second season, released last month.
A young Prince Philip is shown building a brick wall and helping to erect a wrought-iron gate at the school in a bid to get over the death of his sister in a plane crash.
The back-breaking work is finally completed when he asks for help from classmates.
The episode has already sparked a furore for suggesting Philip’s father blamed him for pregnant Cecile’s death – a claim dismissed as a “monstrous lie”.
Gordonstoun sources have now entered the fray and criticised the episode, insisting the duke did not build any wall.
A senior school source said: “Prince Philip didn’t build a wall or a gate as depicted in The Crown.
“The school is aware of how it is being portrayed in the series and has remained quiet on all the issues raised within the programme.
“But to say that a young Prince Philip built a wall at the school is simply untrue.”
Royal biographer Hugo Vickers – author of book The Crown: Truth & Fiction – said: “I think the writers used dramatic licence to show that Prince Philip threw himself into some kind of physical activity.
“I can see how they sat around the editorial table and thought, ‘Well, he’s got to do something to show his frustration. He can build a wall.’ But anyone travelling to Gordonstoun to see the Prince Philip wall is in for a disappointment.”
A Gordonstoun spokeswoman said: “As a matter of principle, the school would never comment about the experience of any individual alumni.
“The Crown series is a drama, not a documentary, and much of the storyline is clearly imagined for dramatic effect.”
Former Gordonstoun pupil Hugh Lamont attended the school at the same time as Prince Charles and has no recollection of a wall constructed by his dad.
He said: “To the best of my knowledge, there’s no wall at Gordonstoun that was built by Prince Philip.
“If there is such a wall, I never saw it or heard mention of it in my seven years in Gordonstoun from 1958 to 1965.”
The episode, Paterfamilias, also shows Philip’s father, Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark, turning on him at Cecile’s funeral.
He is shown saying, “You’re the reason we’re all here burying my favourite child,” after claiming she only flew to London because Philip had got into trouble at Gordonstoun.
Historian Vickers said: “I am deeply concerned about the other awful lies from this show.
“Suggesting Prince Philip’s father blamed him for the death of his sister is shocking. To use this trauma in Philip’s life and fictionalise parts of it, saying it was his fault, is outrageous.”
Gordonstoun boarding school was founded in 1934 by German headmaster Kurt Hahn.
Sources say former staff and pupils have been left reeling by The Crown’s depiction of Prince Charles being bullied during his time there.
The show claims Charles spent a miserable first night at the school after being forced to sleep in a bed under a broken window on a rainy night.
It portrays the prince being humiliated during an orienteering task called the Gordonstoun Challenge.
Charles once reportedly described Gordonstoun as “Colditz in kilts” but the school has hit back at the claims, pointing to a House of Lords speech he made in the 70s.
He said: “I am always astonished by the amount of rot talked about Gordonstoun and the careless use of ancient cliches used to describe it.
“It was only tough in the sense that it demanded more of you as an individual than most other schools did – mentally or physically.
“I am lucky in that I believe it taught me a great deal about myself and my own abilities and disabilities.
“It taught me to accept challenges and take the initiative – why else do you think I am brave enough to stand up before your lordships now?”
But Vickers is adamant that Charles hated Gordonstoun.
He said: “I can understand why Gordonstoun would be very keen to highlight Prince Charles’ speeches from the 70s.
“But I think you’ll find if you look in the Jonathan Dimbleby biography of Charles, he’s pretty hostile to Gordonstoun.
“It was a tough place. Prince Andrew didn’t like Gordonstoun either. They used to quite often be with the Queen Mother at Birkhall and when they had to go back they were really unhappy.
“ Prince Charles sent his sons to Eton and I think that says everything. Lucky them.”
