NETFLIX is to show Prince Philip pursuing an affair in The Crown — just weeks after the Queen’s funeral.
He will be shown in intimate scenes with close pal Penny Knatchbull.
Netflix will be shown in intimate scenes with close pal Penny Knatchbull in The Crown
Penny Knatchbull attended The Queen and Prince Philip’s funerals
One episode sees Philip, played by Jonathan Pryce, 75, teaching carriage-riding to Penny
The Queen’s former press secretary Dickie Arbiter said: “This is cruel rubbish.”
Royal experts said showing intimate scenes with Philip and family pal Penny was cruel so soon after the Queen was laid to rest next to her husband.
Netflix considered stalling the release of the fifth series, but will go ahead on November 9 as planned.
Viewers will see the Duke of Edinburgh, who died 18 months ago, pursuing an affair with high society beauty Penny, now the Countess Mountbatten of Burma, 69.
They are seen touching hands as he divulges details of his marriage.
It infuriated experts including the Queen’s former press secretary Dickie Arbiter.
He said: “Coming just weeks after the nation laid Her Majesty to rest next to Prince Philip, this is very distasteful and, quite frankly, cruel rubbish.
“The truth is that Penny was a long-time friend of the whole family. Netflix are not interested in people’s feelings.”
Majesty magazine editor Ingrid Seward added: “It’s in exceedingly bad taste.
“This is fiction. There’s no way in a million years he’d discuss his marriage with anybody. The royals probably won’t watch it for their own sanity.”
One episode sees Philip, played by Jonathan Pryce, 75, teaching carriage-riding to Penny (Natascha McElhone, 52).
He tells her his marriage has its “problems” as they have “grown in separate directions”.
Philip was close friends with Penny, particularly after 1991 when her daughter Leonora, five, died of kidney cancer. Penny attended the Queen’s and Philip’s funerals.
Royal experts said showing intimate scenes with Philip and family pal Penny was cruel so soon after the Queen was laid to rest
Natascha McElhone is playing the role of high society beauty Penny, now the Countess Mountbatten of Burma
He has been portrayed as a flirt in previous episodes of The Crown.
The penultimate series touches on Charles and Andrew’s marital splits, and Diana’s Panorama interview.
