‘The Crown’ Effect: How a TV Show Introduced Prince Philip to a Generation of Americans

In recent years, the activities of young royals have fueled much of the intrigue, with the second in line to the throne, Prince William, marrying Catherine, now the Duchess of Cambridge, in 2011. They have since. welcomed three children, with the youngest, Prince Louis, born in April 2018.

Royal fever hit the United States again in May 2018 when William’s younger brother Prince Harry married former American actress Meghan Markle, now known as the Duchess of Sussex. That fascination intensified after the couple pulled out of the family last year, relinquishing their royal titles before revealing everything about their lives in a bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey that aired last month.

But it can be said that “The Crown” also helps to generate interest in the royal family among young Americans.

“99 and over, but what a sleeve. And what a style. Thanks for your old service guy – it won’t be the same without you,” the Emmy-nominated actor said.

“The Crown” highlights the difficult adjustments the young couple faced as Elizabeth became queen earlier than expected in their marriage. It also shows how, in an era marked by chauvinism and sexism, the need for Philip to line up behind his wife was overwhelming.

“The role of the prince consort is really difficult and those who have taken on this role have had very little precedent to study and very little sense of the concrete job description before taking the job,” Chernock said.

And although through modern eyes many Americans have now formed a certain view of Prince Philip through “The Crown”.

Mary McClelland, a fan of the show who lives in Chicago, said her opinion of the Queen’s husband was neutral before watching the Netflix series.

“I think he’s not the best dad in the world. I think he did the best he could with what he could do back then and in the society he lived in and the generation in. which he belongs to, ”McClelland told CNN before Philip’s death. . “But I don’t necessarily blame him for who he is.”

While many Americans may not have had a firm impression of Prince Philip, his reputation in Britain has evolved over the decades.

“He actually has a pretty mischievous personality. And in Britain he’s certainly known for a number of missteps,” Chernock said in a CNN interview also conducted before Philip’s death. “So his sense of humor and his fun can get him in trouble sometimes.”

“I think the show did a lot to humanize it, to show the man behind the crown,” Debra Birnbaum, former Variety editor-in-chief, said before Philip’s death. “There is a more complex perspective of who the guy is … for better or for worse.”

Tobias Menzies, who played an older Philip in the show’s later seasons, quoted Shakespeare as paying tribute to the late royal.

For some avid fans, each episode of “The Crown” has led to a trip to the internet to find out more about those involved, including Prince Philip.

“It prompted me to do more research on him and every aspect of the show,” said McClelland, communications director for a nonprofit organization. “How intense and crazy his upbringing was, for me, just fascinating. I mean, if he was a modern man, I’d be like, ‘get into therapy immediately!’ ‘

But, she added: “You know, the current royals seem to revere and love him. And so whatever the dynamic, his grandchildren, every time they talk about him and in the articles , it’s just that he’s a legend. ”

Birnbaum said Peter Morgan, the show’s creator and writer, worked hard to keep “The Crown” based on reality.

“You will never know what two people said to each other in a private conversation, but you will know the facts,” Birnbaum said. “The conversation may have been imagined, but [Prince Philip] lost his favorite sister in a plane crash, then became a pilot. It speaks of a very interesting kind of human being. ”

Prince Philip also played an important role in the modernization of the monarchy – which was highlighted in the series. “His commitment to technology, advocating, for example, filming the family or trying to update systems at Buckingham Palace,” was part of it, Chernock said. “And he’s definitely a sounding board for Elizabeth and he’s stayed the course.”

In fact, after all of their years together, Elizabeth’s success may very well be due in part to the man she married. The man so many Americans knew so shortly before “The Crown”.

“Why is Elizabeth successful? She succeeds because she has truly been steadfast,” Chernock said. “I think Philip has a lot to do with it.”