Is it true that Queen Elizabeth II loved watching the TV series The Crown on Sundays?

There's a common belief that Queen Elizabeth II had a keen interest in the TV series The Crown, particularly enjoying it on Sundays. However, is this claim based on solid evidence or just a persistent rumor? Let's delve into the facts surrounding this popular misconception.

Unsubstantiated Rumors

During her lifetime, Queen Elizabeth II was known for her meticulous attention to protocol, her respect for tradition, and her cautious approach to new media. There is no concrete evidence to suggest that she even watched The Crown, let alone enjoyed it.

Moreover, reliable reports from those closely aligned with the royal family indicate that she was distinctly unimpressed with the series. The reason for her dissatisfaction wasn't just the fictional portrayal of events, but also the dramatic liberties taken with historical facts. As a monarch herself, the Queen would have taken a keen interest in the accuracy of such portrayals, particularly regarding her reign and the decisions made during her tenure.

Network Availability

It’s worth noting that The Crown was exclusively available on Netflix, and it was a streaming service that became widely used in the early 2010s. Since streaming services didn't become widespread until 2007, it's unlikely that the Queen had access to the series in its entirety. Furthermore, The Crown was not available on Sundays. This fact alone makes it easy to dismiss such claims as sheer guesswork or misunderstandings.

Examining the Series

The Crown is a highly dramatized narrative based on real people and events. As a fictional series, its primary goal is to entertain rather than provide a documentary-style recounting of historical events. The creators often take significant liberties with the narrative to enhance drama and entertainment value, which means that the series may not always align with the public image or historical accuracy that the Queen would have expected.

Many viewers of The Crown in the United States might have taken the series as documentary-like, but for the Queen, who had a deep understanding of the intricacies of royal life, the fictitious nature of the series would likely have been evident. Her royal duties and responsibilities required her to be well-informed about the historical and political events of her time, making it unlikely that she would have found such a dramatized series as enlightening as some might think.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is not accurate to say that Queen Elizabeth II enjoyed watching The Crown on Sundays. Given her strong interest in factual accuracy and her job as a monarch, such a view would be inconsistent with her character and duties. While it’s understandable why some may speculate that the Queen enjoyed the series, there is no evidence to support this claim, and reliable reports suggest the opposite.