Bosses of hit Netflix show The Crown have found themselves at the centre of yet another controversy after being accused of ‘making up’ a speech by the late Queen Elizabeth II.
In 1992, Her Majesty famously reflected on her ‘Annus Horribilis’ from London’s Guildhall – four days after fire ravaged her Windsor Castle home.
The incident followed a series of other unfortunate events for the monarchy, including the separation of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, the divorce of Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips, and the publication of Princess Diana’s tell-all book – Diana: Her True Story.
READ MORE:Netflix bosses slammed as ‘sadistic’ for recreating Diana’s final hours in The Crown
Speaking in what was the year of her Ruby Jubilee, the Queen told the nation the year was not one “on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure”.
(Image: AFP/Getty Images)
She then added that it had turned out to be an “Annus Horribilis”, before thanking the public for supporting her and husband Prince Philip.
The Crown’s version of events differs significantly, however, with Imelda Staunton playing the Queen referring to ‘errors of the past’, which in reality was not said.
A TV insider told The Sun: “Netflix can argue about what may or may not have happened behind closed doors to justify some of their storylines, but they’ve essentially rewritten history by changing the speech.
“This will only add to the sense that The Crown is taking huge liberties with the truth and unfairly causing untold damage to the reputation of the monarchy.
“It also feels highly insensitive given that the Queen only passed away last month, and the nation is trying to rally around the royal family.”
(Image: Keith Bernstein)
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Bosses have already come under fire on several occasions over the content of forthcoming episodes.
One scene, which is expected to see Prince Charles lobbying Prime Minister John Major for help in getting the Queen to abdicate has been labelled a ‘barrel-load of nonsense’ and ‘malicious fiction’ by the then PM himself.
The show has also been heavily criticised for filming scenes charting the build-up to the tragic death of Princess Diana in Paris as she was chased by paparazzi.
Diana’s friend Simone Simmons labelled bosses as “cruel, sadistic and wicked” and also raised concerns that Diana’s sons Prince William and Prince Harry will find the action too distressing.
The Crown seasons 1 – 4 are available to stream on Netflix, while season 5 will debut on November 9.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
