“The Crown” is Netflix’s scripted drama about the British royal family spanning the latter half of the 20th century. Premiering next month, Season 5 will focus on the breakdown of the marriage between Prince Charles and Princess Diana. The timing is fascinating, with the new season coming just two months into Charles’ reign as king and resulting in frenzied headlines such as this one: “The Palace is Spiraling Over a New Teaser for ‘The Crown’ and Has ‘Moved to Protect’ King Charles.”
The British economy is crashing, but yes, by all means, someone needs to protect the king of England from … a TV show. It’s a PR approach that seems to ignore that much of his marital dissolution was widely reported in the ‘90s, and none of it made him (or the royal family itself) look especially honorable.
Perhaps working for the palace comms department is akin to a game of Whac-A-Mole. More recently came the rumor that palace aides “have been discussing ways to stop Prince Harry publishing his memoirs. There is said to be deep concern that the book will contain damaging revelations despite suggestions that he is seeking to tone it down.” Sounds like a good deal of hand-wringing among the so-called men in gray suits.
