‘I’m nowhere near what they portray me on Netflix’: Prince Charles ‘introduced himself to Scottish politicians by telling them he was completely different from The Crown’
- Scottish Labor leader Anas Sarwar has revealed Prince Charles’ opinion
- Prince of Wales told MSPs at the State Opening of the Scottish Parliament last October
- Normal protocol is that politicians shouldn’t disclose what royals say to them
- Charles has never publicly commented on the four-season production
Prince Charles believes he is “nowhere near” his portrayal in The Crown, a senior politician revealed yesterday.
The next in line to the throne has never commented publicly on the Netflix series, which critics say is riddled with inaccuracies.
But Scottish Labor leader Anas Sarwar has revealed that Charles spoke his mind to MPs when he attended the State Opening of Scotland’s Parliament last October.
Normal protocol is that politicians shouldn’t disclose what royals say to them.
However, at an event at the Edinburgh Fringe, he said that when Charles met MSPs at a multi-faith ceremony in Edinburgh ahead of the state opening, “he came over and said, ‘Hello, nice to meet you all. I’m nowhere near what they make me out to be on Netflix.
Mr Sarwar added: “I thought that was a really interesting way of describing yourself.” He then told the Gilded Balloon audience, “I’m going to get in so much trouble for this because I don’t think you’re meant to have private conversations!” Clarence House declined to comment.
Critics have said that The Crown’s account of the failure of Prince Charles’ marriage to Diana during its fourth series was “distorted and at times downright inaccurate” and that viewers were misled into believing its fictionalized account of events.
Prince Charles believes he is “nowhere near” his portrayal in The Crown. Pictured: Actor Josh O’Connor as Prince Charles and Emma Corrin as Princess Diana in season four
Despite reports of concerns at Buckingham Palace over the portrayal of events, Prince Charles has not commented.
During yesterday’s event, Mr Sarwar also said that when they met in Holyrood, Prince Charles joked about the politician’s previous job as a dentist.
Describing him as “very funny”, Mr Sarwar said: “Well, Prince Charles is with the Queen[at the opening of Parliament]and says to me: ‘Dubist the dentist'[attheopeningofparliament)andhesaystome’You’rethedentist'[beiderEröffnungdesParlaments)undersagtzumir:‚DubistderZahnarzt‘[attheopeningofparliament)andhesaystome’You’rethedentist’
The Prince of Wales shared his thoughts on the Netflix show with MSPs at the Scottish Parliament’s State Opening last October. Pictured: arriving at Parliament in October with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall
‘I said: ‘That’s right, I’m always happy to be there for you’. And he says, “Maybe for the Duchess” and points to her.”
When asked how she responded, he said she “just sort of grimaced.”
When asked about Mr Sarwar’s account of the Netflix exchange, a Clarence House spokesman said: “We do not comment on private conversations.”
One of Netflix’s most popular series, The Crown follows the Queen’s life from her marriage in 1947 to the early 21st century.
During an appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden last year, Prince Harry said he was comfortable with The Crown’s portrayal of the royal family, noting that while it was “not entirely accurate,” it was a “rough idea.” ‘ from her there is pressure to be a royal.
Meanwhile, Mr Sarwar condemned the criticism he received from pro-independence advocates when he wished Pakistan a happy Independence Day on Sunday.
He said: “It irks me when people try to pretend that Scotland was somehow a victim of the Empire when in fact Scotland was at the heart of the Empire… Regardless of your position on Scottish independence, let’s not pretend or merge that Scotland was somehow colonized or was a victim.’