BBC attacks ‘lavish’ Netflix for propagating ‘myths’ about the royal family

Since Netflix released The Crown, much praise has been heaped on the network for the royal drama. In fact, the series — a dramatisation of the Queen’s early years — has proved so impressive that several critics have suggested the future of quality drama lies online rather than with broadcasters like the BBC.

So, with that in mind, Mr S was intrigued to learn of a BBC article on the series that the corporation have been pushing of late. In a piece titled ‘Did the Queen stop Princess Margaret marrying Peter Townsend?’ for the BBC magazine, Paul Reynolds — the former BBC Court correspondent — argues that the ‘lavish’ drama ‘perpetuates the myth’ that Princess Margaret was browbeaten into giving up Group Captain Peter Townsend, the war hero who proposed to her in 1953. He says that contrary to the programme’s claims, the reality was quite different.

With The Crown boasting a large budget and receiving much critical acclaim, Mr S can’t help but wonder if Auntie has come down with a case of sour grapes…