The Crown portrays a romance between Prince Philip and Penny Knatchbull in the show's new season. and after severe backlash for the controversial bits that the Netflix series is showing in the new season, Queen’s former private secretary Dickie Arbiter has discussed the ‘cheating’ rumours circulating Prince Philip.
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Highly unlikely romance
Dickie appeared on Steph’s Packed Lunch on Channel 4 with King Charles’ former butler Grant Harrold. The two discussed the truth behind Prince Philip’s alleged cheating. Specifically talking about the Penny Knatchbull angle that The Crown portrays, Dickie said:
The relationship was a common interest in carriage driving. Prince Philip took it up at the age of 71 having suffered from arthritis and he could no longer play polo…
Referring to one of the scenes of the Netflix show, Dickie urges people to know the difference between fact and fiction, reported Mirror. He added:
It’s good drama, that’s what it’s all about… What you shouldn’t believe are the words attached to it and some of the events as well.
But she did take an interest in carriage driving, they had a common interest, there was a 30-year age difference and there was no way there was any relationship.
Window shopping, at best
Reportedly, Prince Philip was often in the news in the 50s and 60s, especially in French newspapers where a rumour of him having an affair with ‘one actress or another, or a dancer’ were common. However, there’s little to no reality in those rumours. Dickie confirmed:
Prince Philip was a good-looking man, ladies fell for him when he came on the scene, he was good in uniform. But one thing Prince Philip was, he was a window shopper, he never bought… he flirted but it didn’t go any further.
Source Used
Mirror: Queen's private secretary explains truth about Prince Philip 'cheating' claims
