Prince William was depicted as being “harsh” to King Charles in The Crown, telling his father that he was “not the one with the image problem”.
The final six episodes of the hit royal show dropped on Netflix today, and the first episode explored the young princes navigating their grief after losing their mother, Princess Diana.
King Charles, who was then the Prince of Wales, took William and Harry on a trip to Canada during Easter in 1998.
He told his sons: “Now, I’ve told everyone that for the next few days, no more interruptions.
Prince William ‘harsh’ to King Charles in The Crown
PA
“It’s to be the three of us on our own family holiday. Um. There’s just one… brief thing that we… need to get out of the way first.
“A photo-call with a small group of invited journalists.”
After hearing this statement, William, portrayed by Ed McVey, responded: “No!”
The King, who is played by Dominic West, said: “Willy, that’s the way it works. We give them something, and they leave us alone.”
William, then 15 years old, replied: “You know I hate this stuff.”
He added: “I hate it. Hate the press. Hate the crowds. Why tell us we’re going somewhere alone, then put us in front of the people we hate most in the world?”
Charles then told his eldest son: “I know. It’s insufferable, but… getting angry and refusing to go out there is not the way to endear yourself.”
William then said: “I’m not the one who needs to endear myself. I’m not the one with the image problem.”
Prince Harry, King Charles, and Prince William visiting Canada in 1998
PA
Elizabeth Debicki and Dominic West play Diana and Charles in The Crown
PA
At this point, the actor portraying Charles stormed out of the room, visibly upset.
Prince Harry, who was also in the room, spoke up to defend their father.
The Duke of Sussex, portrayed by Luther Ford, said: “That was pretty harsh. He did always say we’d have to combine official duties with the holiday.”
But William said he “didn’t care”, added: “It’s true. He needs to hear it.” Harry then stormed out of the room, leaving William on his own.
Buckingham Palace has not commented on the contents of the latest and final season of The Crown.
