Is the Crown too Cruel to the Royals?

The recently released fourth season of the Netflix series The Crown leads to lots of discussion in the UK about the dramatic representation of the Royal family and the show’s historical accuracy. Let’s find out more!

If you haven’t heard of the Netflix series The Crown, please watch the official trailer here.

Watch the video from the beginning until 10:30 minutes and answer the questions.

1. What is the fourth season of The Crown about? Which (historical) characters and events are portrayed?
2. Why do the presenters and interviewees in Good Morning Britain discuss the letter that was never sent by Lord Mountbatten?
3. Paul Burrel, Princess Diana’s former butler, says The Crown “is a dramatization not a documentary”. What does he mean by that?
4. Why does Angela Levin, a biographer, think the fourth season of The Crown is “a deliberate attack on the Monarchy and the Royal family”?
5. Paul Burrel is very positive about The Crown and the fact that Diana’s struggle with bulimia is included, why?

Do you want to know more about this topic? Read the article and answer the questions.

1. How did Sarah Ditum’s view of the royal family change due to watching The Crown?
2. Why is The Crown successful in making “the royal family seem not just sympathetic but even vital” compared to the documentary produced in 1969?
3. Sarah Ditum says that “Royalty means astonishing privilege, at the cost of unthinkable sacrifice”. What does she mean with that and can you relate this to the decision of Harry and Meghan to step down as senior members of the royal family?

Discuss in groups of three:

1. Do you think it’s okay to fictionalise the lives of people who are still alive? Why or why not?
2. Would you be interested in a Netflix or television series about the Dutch monarchy? Why or why not?

Wil je meer weten over onze Engelse methode Stepping Stones?

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