Top 10 The Crown Moments That Didn't Actually Happen

It’s true that after his election, John F. and Jackie Kennedy visited the Queen. However, the rivalry portrayed between the two women in “The Crown” seems exaggerated, possibly fueled by media speculation. Reports suggest that the two influential figures actually found common ground and shared a warm relationship. Still, in the series, tensions rise when unkind remarks made by the First Lady reach the monarch. Although Jackie might have criticized the Queen and the Palace in real life, her harsh words in the series likely only served to heighten the drama. There’s also no reliable proof that their rivalry affected foreign policy or triggered the Queen’s Ghana visit— as head of the Commonwealth, these trips are kind of in her job description.

During an audience with the Queen, the Prime Minister crumbles the Iron Lady’s composure, revealing her son has disappeared in the Sahara Desert. “The Crown” implies that her maternal anxieties influenced her choice to go to war in the Falklands. Although both events happened within the same year, there is nothing to suggest they’re linked in any way. In reality, the war began after Argentinian workers raised their flag, asserting the country’s control over the Falklands. Britain responded by sending a naval fleet. The war ran on for 74 days, resulting in significant loss of life. It also doesn’t seem to be true that Thatcher asked the Queen to dissolve parliament when her leadership was challenged.

In the early seasons of “The Crown,” Prince Philip grapples with his role as a supporting figure to his wife. In this episode, which leads up to her 1953 Coronation, he requests to do without the tradition of kneeling to the monarch. Of course, he’s rejected, and his resentment at being made to do so is palpable. While it certainly hypes up the drama, it’s probably not true. Prince Philip knew what he signed up for when he married a future monarch. Also, coming from royalty, he would’ve been well aware of the importance placed on royal customs. And on a personal level, we doubt he would’ve disrespected his wife at such a monumental moment in her life.

In season three, Lord Mountbatten and the Queen Mother plot to break up young lovebirds Prince Charles and Camilla Shand. While it’s seemingly true that the royal family disapproved of the match because— and we hope you’re wearing pearls because you’re going to want to clutch them— she was a “commoner” with a dating history. Still, there’s no solid evidence of any interference. It seems that Prince Charles simply wasn’t ready for marriage while Camilla was still with her on-again-off-again partner, Andrew Parker Bowles, who she’d go on to marry. Incidentally, Princess Anne also dated Mr. Parker Bowles, just not during the timeframe the series suggests. It does make good television, though, doesn’t it?

Season two introduces Lord Altrincham (a.k.a John Grigg), a journalist who criticizes the royal family for being out of touch and targets the Queen’s way of speaking. The real Altrincham’s opinions were divisive and indeed earned him a slap in the face. While much of his story can be accounted for, one part remains a mystery: his meeting with the Queen. We have no way of knowing if such a meeting occurred. Of course, in the episode, Altrincham is sworn to secrecy, so perhaps “The Crown’s” creative team knows something the rest of us don’t - although we doubt it. During the episode’s conclusion, we’re informed that the monarchy credits his role in helping modernize the institution.

It's true that Prince Charles met Diana while dating her sister, but the scenario and tree costume were just a creative decision by the show's writers to highlight her love for performing arts. After spending some time together, the pair get engaged. But during the rehearsal, Princess Margaret spots a look on her nephew’s face that brings old feelings bubbling to the surface. Later, she implores her family to learn from past mistakes, but her pleas fall upon deaf ears. If anyone were going to try to call off the wedding, we’d say the real Princess Margaret probably has the most grounds to do so. However, actress Helena Bonham Carter takes credit for this scene’s inclusion.

This season five episode explored the fascinating links between the British royals and Russia’s last Imperial family. We learn that Parliament reached out to King George V, offering to help his relative, Tsar Nicholas II, and his family escape the Russian Revolution. In the series, he consults with his wife, Queen Mary, who ultimately seals the Romanovs' fate. Historian Dr. Helen Rappaport explains that King George initially supported granting his cousins asylum but soon changed his mind due to the wartime political climate and fears of civil upheaval in Britain. Britain wasn’t the only country that refused asylum over political reasons either. Ultimately, these decisions, not Queen Mary, delivered the family’s coup de grâce.

This season one episode takes place during the Great Smog of London in 1952. The episode depicts absolute chaos descending on the city, but that simply wasn’t the case. Firstly, Londoners were used to fogs, albeit few as intense as this one, and also, it’s practically in the British DNA to “Keep Calm and Carry On.” It also reportedly wasn’t as politically charged as it's made out to be. Anyway, with such limited visibility, public transport, bar the London Underground, was halted. This episode also shone greater light on Churchill’s secretary, Venetia Scott— a fictional addition to his staff. Audiences grew rather fond of her, so we were devastated when she became one of the fog’s casualties.

Incredibly, the Queen’s intruder, Michael Fagan, managed to breach security not once but twice, even making it to the Queen’s private quarters the second time. While some aspects of the story are rooted in reality, conflicting accounts of the details left the writers relying on creative license to bridge gaps. Reportedly, it took a while for someone to come to the Queen’s rescue, and apparently, she tried to stall until help arrived. But come on: as if the Queen was really going to sit around chatting with a man who’d just broken into her bedroom! Instead, it seems like the writers used this event to highlight the growing class divisions and unrest in Britain during that period.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Diana Didn’t Give the Queen a Heads Up about Her “Panorama” Interview, “Gunpowder”
The Palace Might’ve Been Warned, but Not Likely by a Conversation Between Diana & the Queen

John Major Didn’t Get Involved in the Wales’ Divorce, “Couple 31”
Yeah, Marriage Counseling Isn’t Really Under the Prime Minister’s Jurisdiction

Princess Margaret Didn’t Discover Her Cousins, the Bowes-Lyons, “The Hereditary Principle”
Their Story Was Actually Uncovered by the Press & the Royal Family Declined to Comment

The Guardian Interview with Princess Alice That Never Happened, “Bubbikins”
We Imagine This Was a Plot Device to Share Her Incredible Story

Princess Margaret's Role in Improving US-UK Ties, “Margaretology”
Let’s Just Say She Wasn’t the Big Hit “The Crown” Makes Her Out to Be

Most “The Crown” fans acknowledge the blurred reality in Peter Morgan’s Royal adaptation, yet one plot point remains notably contentious. In response to a public poll in the Sunday Times, Prince Charles tries to persuade PM John Major to support his plan for his mother’s abdication. The real Major criticized the show via a spokesperson, calling it a “barrel load of malicious nonsense,” seemingly advising viewers not to believe everything they see. In the season finale, Charles attempts to bring new PM Tony Blair on his side, too. Like Major, Blair dismissed the story as “complete and utter rubbish.” “The Crown” defended itself as a fictional dramatization, imagining behind-the-scenes scenarios. Despite this, the controversy continues, raising doubts about the show’s historical interpretation.


Which chapter from “The Crown’s” history were you most surprised to learn is untrue? Let us know in the comments