Some seasons of "The Crown" are more accurate than others. Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re ranking all the seasons of Netflix’s semi-historical drama from least to most accurate.
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00:00 "We can't be everything to everyone and still be true to ourselves."
00:03 Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're ranking all the seasons of Netflix's semi-historical
00:08 drama from least to most accurate.
00:11 If you're not yet caught up, we will be discussing plot points, so spoiler warning.
00:15 "And I can cope with the truth.
00:19 I just demand to know the truth."
00:23 Number 6.
00:24 Season 4.
00:25 According to royal historian Hugo Vickers, Season 4 of The Crown is the most rooted in
00:30 creative license and paints, quote, "an unfair picture of most of the royal family."
00:35 Set between 1979 and 1990, this season centers around Margaret Thatcher's time in Number
00:40 Ten and the beginning and unraveling of Prince Charles and Diana's seemingly fairy tale romance.
00:46 "You both look very much in love."
00:49 "Oh, yes.
00:51 Absolutely."
00:52 "Whatever in love means."
00:56 Critics argue that the show plays fast and loose with historical details, particularly
01:01 in depicting the duration of Charles' alleged infidelity and overshadowing his royal accomplishments
01:06 during this period.
01:07 Reportedly, the immense backlash prompted the now king and queen consort to disable
01:12 comments on their social media accounts.
01:13 "In the narrative laws of fairy tales versus reality, a fairy tale always prevails.
01:21 It will always defeat me in the court of public opinion."
01:25 Some also highlight inaccuracies in the portrayal of Thatcher's premiership, like her visit
01:29 to Balmoral, her decision to start a war when her son went AWOL, or asking the queen to
01:34 help when her own party rebelled against her.
01:37 Despite their rumored strained relationship, there's also doubt whether the queen would
01:41 have aired her issues with Thatcher in public.
01:43 "But what if I'm not happy with the job she's been doing?
01:47 What if on this occasion I'd be happy for people to know the displeasure was actually
01:51 real?
01:52 That I am personally concerned about her lack of compassion."
01:54 Other fabricated storylines include the letter the Prince of Wales received from Lord Mountbatten
01:59 shortly after his death, and the timeline of events leading to the elder royal's IRA-related
02:04 demise.
02:05 Also, the Beauslay and sisters plot.
02:07 Princess Margaret didn't stumble upon the family secret, it was actually a press exposé,
02:12 and the royals declined to comment.
02:13 "I am aware, through professional colleagues of the sisters."
02:18 "Sisters?
02:24 What sisters?"
02:25 Although reportedly it was around them that the queen mother first learned the whereabouts
02:28 of her nieces, we also think it doesn't take a historian to assume that the queen didn't
02:33 have a tête-à-tête with the man who'd broken into her room.
02:36 "People still show kindness to one another, and they still pay their taxes to the state."
02:41 "And she spends that money on an unnecessary war and declares the feel-good factor is back
02:48 again."
02:49 Number 5.
02:51 Season 2 Season 2 amplifies the drama by stirring
02:54 the pot on Prince Philip's alleged infidelity.
02:57 The season begins with the royal embarking on an extended tour of the Commonwealth.
03:01 That much is true.
03:02 However, the cheating implications, whether with ballerina Galina Ulanova or anyone else,
03:08 are pure speculation.
03:09 "It's Brazil."
03:10 "Isn't that Galina Ulanova?"
03:11 "Yes."
03:12 "Lucky you, they say she's quite the thing."
03:13 "Do they?"
03:14 "That's what they say."
03:15 To add an extra twist, Prince Philip's story weaves through real events like his private
03:24 secretary Michael Park's divorce and the Profumo affair.
03:27 While his involvement in either is likely included for dramatic flair, it further blurs
03:32 the truth.
03:33 "That's the Minister of War, he's just admitted it.
03:34 Profumo admitted the affair, but he denied the photograph."
03:35 "I don't know what he's talking about."
03:36 "I don't know either."
03:37 "I don't know either."
03:38 "I don't know either."
03:39 "There's something Philip in the... under the shoulders."
03:44 Episode 9 unfolds another contentious tale where Philip sends Charles to his old school,
03:48 supposedly to toughen him up.
03:50 Charles' school days look miserable, but surprisingly, the real royal recalls it differently, quoted
03:55 saying, "I'm glad I went to Gordonstoun."
03:58 Flashbacks to Philip's own school days paint a less-than-rosy picture, too.
04:02 However, the biggest shocker occurs when he's blamed for his sister's family's tragic accident,
04:07 but that has been widely debunked.
04:09 However, the real Prince Philip was reportedly, quote, "so upset" he considered filing a lawsuit.
04:14 "Had it not been for Philip and his indiscipline, she would never have taken that flight."
04:23 We were also horrified to learn that the Marburg files are real, although the Duke's grasp
04:28 on Nazism is hotly debated.
04:30 According to Vickers, the Queen reproached her uncle for his attempted betrayal, but
04:34 he wasn't disowned or cast out.
04:36 "There is no possibility of my forgiving you.
04:39 The question is, how on earth can you forgive yourself?"
04:43 Shifting gears, the Kennedys' visit didn't unfold quite as the series suggests, either,
04:48 particularly the monarch versus first lady rivalry.
04:51 Reportedly, they shared a rather cordial relationship.
04:54 While Jackie Kennedy may have commented on the Queen and palace, it's unlikely that her
04:59 words were as savage as the show depicts.
05:01 "In our head of state, we had a middle-aged woman, so incurious, unintelligent, and unremarkable."
05:12 Additionally, the Ghana visit was more about maintaining Commonwealth allyship than anything
05:17 related to the first lady.
05:19 One last note on this season, there's nothing to suggest that the Queen and Lord Altrincham
05:23 ever met, although the monarchy apparently took note of several of his criticisms.
05:27 "Charteris then went home to tell me that no one can ever know that I met the Queen,
05:31 and that should I ever claim that I did, the palace would robustly deny it."
05:36 Number 4.
05:37 Season 3.
05:38 Season 3 of The Crown masters the art of intertwining history with fiction.
05:42 Take the KGB spy saga in Buckingham Palace, for instance.
05:46 Yes, that part is real, but some details are skewed for entertainment purposes.
05:50 Do we really think that showdown with Prince Philip actually happened?
05:54 "One wrong step, you treacherous sneak, and I will expose you and have you thrown in jail."
06:01 "I would think long and hard before I did that, sir."
06:07 Vickers also noted that they skipped over the consequences after his double-crossing
06:11 was made public in 1979.
06:13 Turning our critical eye to other season 3 plot points, the Queen's visit to Churchill
06:18 in his final days, Prince Philip's crisis after the moon landing, and his complex relationship
06:23 with his mother should all be assessed with a pinch of salt.
06:26 Unfortunately, that Guardian article isn't real either, but much of Princess Alice's
06:31 extraordinary tale is.
06:33 "A member of a royal family that has suffered more than the rest of us,
06:37 worked harder than the rest of us, and created more good than the rest of us."
06:42 Princess Margaret's supposed diplomatic heroics might make for a juicy storyline,
06:47 but it's more fiction than reality.
06:49 Her dinner at the White House didn't result in any diplomatic miracles,
06:53 and sorry to disappoint, but we don't imagine there was any singing and dancing either.
06:58 "Sooner or later, I'm greater than you. Yes, I am."
07:02 "No, you're not."
07:03 "Yes, I am."
07:04 "No, you're not."
07:05 "Yes, I am."
07:06 On the other hand, the recreation of Prince Charles's investiture as the Prince of Wales
07:10 is quite impressive.
07:12 During this season, we witnessed the tragic Aberfan disaster, and its devastating aftermath,
07:17 and learned about the Queen's error in judgment in not promptly visiting the site
07:20 and paying respects to the grieving village.
07:22 "Unless you were planning to visit today yourself?"
07:25 "Why would I go?"
07:26 "What a question."
07:28 "The crown visits hospitals, Martin, not the scenes of accidents."
07:32 This decision is considered one of the real monarch's greatest regrets.
07:36 At the heart of the season lies the blossoming relationship between
07:39 Prince Charles and Camilla Shand.
07:41 Contrary to the on-screen drama, there's no concrete proof that Charles sought advice
07:46 from his great-uncle or that the family tried to sabotage their love story.
07:49 "You're probably wondering why I've invited you all here this afternoon.
07:52 It's a slightly delicate matter.
07:54 Something of an imbroglio involving your son, Derek, your daughter, Mrs. Shand, and my grandson."
08:01 Sure, the royals may have been skeptical about Camilla's compatibility with a future king,
08:06 but it seems in reality it just took a little longer for their stars to align.
08:10 Princess Anne did supposedly have a thing with Andrew Parker Bowles,
08:14 but it wasn't during the timeline the series implies.
08:17 Although it's amusing to think of the royal siblings caught up in some kind of love quadrilateral.
08:22 "It was all very straightforward. He got what he wanted,
08:25 which was to make Camilla jealous. I got what I wanted, which was a bit of fun."
08:29 "Fun?"
08:31 "Yes. Sorry, mummy, it was."
08:32 Number 3. Season 6
08:35 The first part of the season delves into Diana's final days,
08:38 her and Dodi Fayed's tragic passing, and the aftermath.
08:41 Of course, many of us remember that fateful day and the subsequent events,
08:45 so there's only so much they can rework the truth before we all become history buffs.
08:50 "Solutions to your problems are so obvious from where I'm sitting.
08:53 But we can never see our own problems clearly. Always need a trusted friend to guide us."
08:59 While the show incorporates real events like Diana's meeting with Tony Blair,
09:03 the Queen's initial hostilities towards Camilla,
09:06 and the public backlash after Diana's passing, many elements are fictionalized.
09:11 "While the Express asks the Queen to show us you care, speak to us..."
09:15 "I rest my case."
09:16 "Which reflects the public's grown frustration at the silence from the hall."
09:22 Prince Harry's recent disclosures might have shaped aspects of the story,
09:25 but even the most knowledgeable royal expert can't reveal what truly happens behind closed doors.
09:31 Vickers added that the writers' interpretations of these real-life figures are also off the mark.
09:36 Also, although we can't confirm this, we doubt Diana spoke to anyone from the beyond either.
09:41 "Midget, you've had that thought already."
09:43 "The only thought I've had since the moment I heard is...regret."
09:51 Part Two swings the spotlight back onto the royal family,
09:54 weaving a narrative that intertwines reflections of the past with a summary of events leading up
09:58 to 2005. However, you can definitely tell where recent events helped shape the storyline.
10:04 We follow a coming-of-age Prince William, thrust into celeb-like status with Will's mania.
10:09 Yes, he actually had screaming fangirls. We also see him attend the University of St. Andrews,
10:14 where he meets his future wife Kate Middleton. This story blends truth,
10:18 rumor (like Mrs. Middleton's fervent matchmaking) and romanticized fiction.
10:23 "And you suggested I change it to St. Andrews after a gap year with none of my friends.
10:29 That was no coincidence."
10:32 We also see the start of some fraternal competitiveness between Princes William and Harry,
10:37 and some of the younger prince's more...infamous antics.
10:40 Elsewhere, the narrative also explores Queen Elizabeth's challenges with dwindling public
10:45 support ahead of her Golden Jubilee, and her seemingly baseless thoughts of abdication.
10:49 It also follows the rise and fall of, to borrow from Her Majesty, King Tony,
10:54 especially after his blunder at the Women's Institute (which actually happened)
10:59 and the Iraq invasion.
11:00 "Do you remember when he first came to power? They took to the streets and cheered.
11:04 Now they want to impeach him for high crimes and misdemeanors.
11:08 Tony Blair has become Tony Blyer."
11:12 The Queen says goodbye to two cherished family members during this time,
11:16 while a delightful flashback shows the young royal sisters celebrating VE Day
11:20 incognito with the British people, a reported event immortalized in the movie A Royal Night Out.
11:25 Wrapping things up, we see Prince Charles and Camilla finally tying the knot,
11:29 mixing fiction and reality.
11:31 The Queen is said to have skipped the ceremony, but supposedly spoke at the party.
11:35 Though the throne would have been a great wedding gift,
11:37 it's doubtful she'd hand over the orb and scepter at that point.
11:40 "Nice speech, Granny."
11:41 "Thank you."
11:43 "That was surprisingly short. You sure you didn't forget half of it?"
11:47 "I don't know what you're talking about."
11:50 Number 2. Season 5
11:53 For many of us, this season's events are within living memory,
11:56 yet we find ourselves disentangling reality from the show's fiction.
12:00 "The anniversary of any occasion is a time to reflect.
12:05 But in light of the events of the last 12 months,
12:10 perhaps I have more to reflect on than most."
12:15 The Queen's 1992 Annis Heribolos speech, Diana's Panorama interview,
12:19 the release of Andrew Morton's revealing biography Diana, Her True Story,
12:23 the royal divorce drama, and John Major's time as Prime Minister all take center stage.
12:29 Unfortunately, Tampon Gate is also revisited.
12:32 "God, I wish I could just live inside your trousers or something so much easier."
12:37 "What are you going to turn into? A pair of knickers?"
12:41 "Or God forbid a tampax, just my luck."
12:44 If you remember 1992, you might recall the Queen's speech referencing a challenging year
12:49 marked by the end of three royal marriages and a devastating fire at Windsor Castle.
12:53 However, it didn't include tributes to family members or mention the errors of our past.
12:58 "If we can't admit the errors of our past, what hope for reconciliation can there be?"
13:09 There's also no evidence the Queen Mother objected to its content.
13:13 But it is true that the monarchy expected taxpayers to foot the bill for some royal renovations.
13:18 It's also worth noting that the Crown only presents a CliffsNotes version
13:22 of the infamous bombshell panorama interview.
13:24 "I'd like to be a queen of people's hearts, in people's hearts.
13:28 I don't envisage myself ever being queen of this country."
13:33 While the palace may have been informed beforehand,
13:36 it's unlikely that Diana told the Queen herself.
13:39 There's evidence to support that Princess Margaret and Peter Townsend did reunite in
13:43 their later years, but the details of when and where that took place are a little fuzzier.
13:48 According to some sources, this reunion would have made more sense in season 4's time frame.
13:53 "And I suppose I wanted to know if our love, in the context of a whole life,
14:01 had been a fleeting one or a lasting one."
14:08 Also, while elements of the events shown in Ipatiev House are true,
14:12 it was not Queen Mary who sealed the Romanovs' fate.
14:16 "What say you, my love? Do we send the ship?"
14:20 "No."
14:26 Perhaps the most staggering storyline sees Prince Charles plot his mother's abdication.
14:31 In the first episode, we see him try to convince Prime Minister John Major to get on board,
14:36 a storyline that Real Major debunked as a quote "barrel load of nonsense."
14:40 "What a pity it was, what a waste that his voice, his presence,
14:48 his vision wasn't incorporated earlier."
14:51 He tries again with new PM Tony Blair in the season finale,
14:55 catching the real Blair's ire, who dismissed it as quote "complete and utter rubbish."
14:59 This stirred a debate on whether the series owed viewers a reminder of its fictional nature.
15:04 "It was pretty gobsmacking what he was doing, effectively briefing against his own mother."
15:10 Hmm.
15:10 The Crown defended itself against accusations of leading its audience astray about the accuracy
15:15 of its depictions. Netflix has previously refused the request, saying, "We have every confidence
15:21 our members understand it's a work of fiction that's broadly based on historical events."
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15:42 Number 1. Season 1.
15:44 Perhaps benefiting from the gift of distance, or maybe because it's a well-documented period,
15:49 but season 1 stands out as the most historically accurate.
15:52 But hold up, that doesn't mean you should believe everything is gospel.
16:02 While the Great Smog of 1952 was real and caused significant loss of life,
16:06 Londoners weren't steered into a frenzy, and there are no records of Venetia Scott or anyone
16:11 like her steering the Prime Minister into action. Also, Prince Philip trying to dish the tradition
16:16 of kneeling at the coronation is highly unlikely, considering his royal roots and, you know,
16:21 basic respect.
16:22 "I will not kneel before my wife."
16:23 "But your wife is not asking you to."
16:25 "But my Queen commands me."
16:26 "Yes."
16:26 "I beg you make an exception for me."
16:28 "No."
16:34 Also, the Queen's supposed fling with Lord Porchy Porchester.
16:38 Let's just say the series might have spiced things up a bit.
16:40 However, in the season's epic love story, Princess Margaret falls for group captain
16:45 Peter Townsend, and their path to happiness is far from smooth.
16:48 Despite the narrative that Queen Elizabeth breaks their hearts, it's not that simple.
16:53 "Just until your 25th birthday, then you'd be free to do as you wish."
16:56 "Look me in the eye and tell me, is it a posting or is it a banishment?"
17:01 "It's a posting. I promise."
17:05 Prime Minister Eden once wrote, quote, "Her Majesty would not wish to stand in the way
17:09 of her sister's happiness. Being divorced himself, he had no intention of reigning on
17:13 their parade either."
17:14 In reality, he and the Queen devised a plan for Margaret's happiness, preserving her titles
17:19 and royal perks, although she still would have had to relinquish her and her kids'
17:22 claim to the throne.
17:24 "I cannot allow you to marry Peter and remain part of this family."
17:28 "That is my decision."
17:33 Townsend's autobiography reveals that in the battle between love and royal privileges,
17:38 the latter took precedence, stating, quote, "I simply hadn't the weight, I knew it,
17:42 to counterbalance all she would have lost."
17:45 "The hearts of all Britain and the Commonwealth are with the young princess,
17:49 who has chosen not self, but country."
17:52 Which The Crown storyline were you most surprised they included or left out?
17:56 Let us know in the comments.
17:58 "He's outrageous, but you have to admire him."
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