The popular Netflix series, The Crown, has come under scrutiny from royal experts who have debunked claims that Queen Elizabeth II contemplated abdicating during her reign.
In the final two seasons of the show, viewers were led to believe that the late queen was haunted by thoughts of handing over her throne to her son, Charles.
However, experts have dismissed these claims as false.
Robert Hardman from The Daily Mail and Natasha Livingston, Royal Correspondent for The Mail on Sunday, have analyzed the plot of The Crown and concluded that it deviates from reality.
The show suggests that Queen Elizabeth II was on the verge of making an announcement at her son’s wedding to Camilla in 2005.
Yet, according to the experts, this was merely a creative flourish by the writers.
In the TV series, Imelda Staunton portrays the queen in her later years, while Claire Foy and Olivia Colman play her younger selves.
The conflict arises as the queen contemplates whether she should continue as head of state or pass the reins to her son and heir, Charles.
However, Hardman dismisses the idea that the queen ever pondered abdication, stating, “The idea that the queen was lying awake at night being tormented by whether she should hand over the throne simply wasn’t part of her vocabulary.”
During her coronation on June 2, 1953, Queen Elizabeth II made a solemn pledge to serve the nation.
In a broadcast reflecting on the day’s events, she declared, “I have in sincerity pledged myself to your service, as so many of you are pledged to mine.
Throughout all my life, and with all my heart, I shall strive to be worthy of your trust.”
These words underscore her commitment to her role as queen and her belief that she was chosen by divine will.
Emily Ferguson, the digital royal editor at Express.co.uk, further emphasizes the late queen’s deeply religious convictions.
Ferguson asserts that Queen Elizabeth II saw herself as being on the throne due to God’s will and believed it was not her place to decide whether she could quit.
To do so would be going against God’s plan.
The Crown also depicts a scene in which Queen Elizabeth, then 79 years old, is shown watching detailed plans of her own funeral, known as Operation London Bridge.
However, Hardman clarifies that this portrayal retrofits events that were not being discussed at the time.
He cautions against sacrificing accuracy for the sake of storytelling, as viewers have been critical of the series’ portrayal of historical events.
In conclusion, while The Crown has raised the profile of the monarchy and capitalized on the concept of soft power, it is important to distinguish between fact and fiction.
The claims that Queen Elizabeth II contemplated abdication were unfounded, as experts and historical records attest to her unwavering dedication to her role as queen.