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Prince Harry shares thoughts on The Crown accuracy controversy: ‘They don’t pretend to be news’

Prince said Netflix drama gives a ‘rough idea’ about the pressures of royal life

Isobel Lewis
Friday 26 February 2021 09:46 GMT
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Prince Harry shares his thoughts on The Crown
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Prince Harry shared his thoughts on The Crown while talking to James Corden during an appearance on The Late Late Show.

Netflix’s historical drama series came under fire last year after MPs and members of the royal family criticised how the show is presented as an accurate portrayal of events.

The topic was discussed with the Prince on Thursday’s (25 February) episode of the late night talk show, in which the royal appeared in a lengthy skit with host Corden.

In the sketch, Corden asked Harry what a night in with wife Meghan Markle looked like, with the royal saying that after putting their son Archie to bed they liked to watch the game show Jeopardy! or Netflix.

“How do you feel about The Crown?” Corden asked Harry, who paused before answering.

Josh O’Connor and Emma Corrin as Harry’s parents, Prince Charles and Princess Diana, on The Crown
Josh O’Connor and Emma Corrin as Harry’s parents, Prince Charles and Princess Diana, on The Crown (Des Willie/Netflix)

“They don’t pretend to be news,” he replied. “It’s fictional, but it’s loosely based on the truth.”

Read more: Prince Harry raps The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme tune

He continued: “Of course it’s not strictly accurate, but loosely… it gives you a rough idea about that lifestyle, what the pressures of putting duty and service above family and everything else, what can come from that.

“I’m way more comfortable with The Crown than I am seeing the stories written about my family or my wife or myself. Because it’s the difference between, ‘That is obviously fiction, take it how you will,’ but this is being reported on as fact because you’re supposedly news. I have a real issue with that.”

Harry also revealed which actor he’d like to play him on the Netflix series.

The segment was filmed before it was announced last week that he and Markle would not return as working royals and would be stripped of their patronages.

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