PRINCESS DIANA wanted to cause “maximum damage to the Royal Family, who were unable to defend themselves” against her attacks, a commentator has told Express.co.uk.
However, the Netflix show has divided its audience as many fear it will tarnish the Prince of Wales’ reputation — despite his divorce from Diana being finalised 24 years ago.
The drama includes a favourable depiction of Diana, showing her as the true ‘People’s Princess’ who feels lost in the Palace, and finds no warmth in the Royal Family.
Her husband is portrayed as a bitter heir who is jealous of all the attention she receives — and in love with another woman, Camilla Parker Bowles.
However, royal biographer and an acquaintance of Charles, Howard Hodgson, told Express.co.uk that he believed the show was “farcical in its inaccuracies”.
He suggested that The Crown is mainly based upon two accounts where Diana painted herself as the “victim” within the Palace.
Princess Diana, Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth II (Image: Getty)
Diana and Charles during a brief happy moment in their marriage (Image: Getty)
The second public outrage was triggered by bombshell BBC Panorama interview of 1995, which is now under renewed investigation over what may have pushed her to be so open with journalist Martin Bashir.
During this heart-to-heart Diana uttered the now famous line, “there were always three of us in this marriage”, referring to Charles and Camilla’s ongoing affair — leading public opinion of the heir to the throne to diminish significantly.
Mr Hodgson also claimed the key events within her marriage have been “largely distorted” by Diana herself, which was catastrophic for the monarchy.
He said: “[The Palace] is a bit like the Titanic, slow to turn around and react.
“Diana was like a little destroyer, acting on her own account and, in fact, being in a situation of seeking to probably cause maximum damage to the crown rather than to defend herself.
Diana, played by Emma Corrin, pictured in the famous wedding dress for The Crown (Image: Netflix)
Diana is shown to be warm and loving in The Crown (Image: Netflix)
“From that point of view it was very hard for [the royals] to defend themselves.”
Mr Hodgson noted it was “hard to defend yourself against” Diana’s criticisms, as she was so “streetwise” and clever at handling her own PR.
The Princess of Wales did develop a reputation for being an excellent media manipulator, especially in her later years on the royal frontline.
The royal biographer added: “The archaic Palace PR which existed in those days was just absolutely incapable of doing anything like [Diana].
“In that case, it was game, set and match.”
Diana during her bombshell 1995 interview with Martin Bashir (Image: Getty)
Camilla and Charles together in 1979 — Diana was heartbroken over their affair (Image: Getty)
Instead, the monarchy has a mantra of ‘never explain, never complain’ — which meant it had to remain tight-lipped over any of Diana’s accusations.
The Princess of Wales’ supposed fury with the Palace came down to her frustration with the “men in grey suits”, otherwise known as the courtiers, who control the majority of the royal machine, and at Charles for his affair with Camilla.
However, it’s worth noting Diana was unfaithful with several men throughout her marriage, too.
Mr Hodgson then addressed the Prince of Wales’ reaction to the latest season of The Crown.
Dianna at the start of her life as a royal with the Queen and Charles (Image: Getty)
He added: “In this regard, Prince Charles has seen it all before — at the time of their separation, the Princess’s death and now this.”
Yet, he noted: “Charles has never been prepared to [tell his version of events] against the memory of his first wife.”
He suggested there was little chance of the Royal Family addressing any of the implications made in The Crown, either.
Howard Hodgson is the author of the 2007 biography, ‘Charles — The Man Who Will Be King’, which was published by John Blake publishing and is available.
Source: EXPRESS CO UK
