The former communications secretary to King Charles has addressed the latest series of The Crown, which dropped on Netflix this week.
The highly anticipated fifth season of the royal period drama is the most controversial of the Netflix hit yet, as it follows the acrimonious years in which King Charles, then the Prince of Wales, and Princess Diana’s marriage broke down.
Kristina Kyriacou, King Charles’ former press secretary, appeared on Thursday morning’s instalment of This Morning to discuss the latest season, which she labelled as ‘one-sided’, given that the King has not been candid about the breakdown of his marriage.
However, she also acknowledged that one prominent member of the royal family was definitely a viewer of the Netflix drama.
Ms Kyriacou told hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield that the Queen Consort will ‘definitely’ have been watching the Peter Morgan drama.
She went on to note that Camilla came face to face with her screen self this year, when she met actress Emerald Fennell, who played her in The Crown, at an event at Clarence House to celebrate International Women's Day today.
She said of Camilla: “She was so keen to meet [Fennell] and they got on famously. That's very much how the King and Queen Consort are.”
She explained that she doubted the King would have the time to watch The Crown, added it likely wouldn't ‘tickle his interest’, but said the Queen Consort will have.
She said: “The Queen Consort keeps in touch with her family, her friends. It’s an enormous series.”
This Morning presenter Holly also touched on the infamous ‘tampongate’, referring to a 1989 phone call that was leaked to the press between the then-Prince Charles and then-mistress Camilla, which has been dramatised in The Crown.
Holly said: “There’s a scene in particular and a lot of people feel incredibly uncomfortable with it because of the nature of what’s being discussed.
“It’s a phone call. It was very much publicised at the time between Camila and Charles. A private conversation. Something none of us should have ever heard.”
She added: “I don’t think any of us should be talking about it because it’s their thing. If it was in today’s current guidelines it’s phone hacking. It would be illegal, so I think it should still be based on that still now.
“To have that put out there again for everybody to witness, talk about and be entertained by – your private thoughts. That must be painful.”
Ms Kyriacou agreed, noting that everyone has private conversations and expect them to stay that way.
She said: “This is a 30-year dialogue. It was a very embarrassing moment, but they dusted themselves off at the time that tape recording was made public and went out and did what they do, which is public service.
“They looked people in the eye and continued doing what they did best. They’re used to dusting themselves off. The fact this is being rehashed will not affect them. They will be very, very philosophical.”
