26 October 2023 , 13:50
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The Crown's creator has responded to 'sickening' claims that Princess Diana's ghost will appear in the final series.
Nearing the end of the story, the sixth and final season will cover from 1997 to 2005 and will be split into two parts - the first part will focus on Diana. But following claims that Prince William is "totally sickened" by the idea of his mother being recreated as a ghost, the show's writer, Peter Morgan, has clarified what his intention was.
The scene in question sees an apparition of Princess Diana talking to then-Prince Charles as he flew with her body back to the UK, following the tragic fatal car crash in Paris. The on-screen version of Diana reportedly tells Charles: "Thank you for how you were in hospital. So raw, broken—and handsome. I'll take that with me. You know I loved you so much. So deeply, so painfully too. That's over now. It will be easier for everyone with me gone."
The Crown has received endless criticism for its portrayal of the royal family (PA)It's said to be followed by a scene where Diana speaks to the Queen as a 'ghost', telling Elizabeth: "As long as anyone can remember, you’ve taught us what it means to be British. Maybe it’s time to show you’re ready to learn too." The rumours have already sparked controversary ahead of the season landing on Netflix.
Speaking to Variety in an interview published on Wednesday, Morgan said the representation of the character was more of a visualisation of thoughts than a supernatural spirit. He explained: "I never imagined it as Diana's 'ghost' in the traditional sense. It was her continuing to live vividly in the minds of those she has left behind. Diana was unique, and I suppose that’s what inspired me to find a unique way of representing her. She deserved special treatment narratively."
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Meanwhile, a friend of Prince William's has claimed the royal is "sickened" by the Netflix depiction of his family. As reported by the Daily Beast, the anonymous friend said: "It's incredibly hurtful to have his mother exploited over and over again in this tawdry fashion by Netflix. He won't watch it, but he will be totally sickened by it."
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams also criticised The Crown creator for including it, telling the Daily Mail : "The whole idea that Peter Morgan has scripted ghostly appearances by Diana is utterly tasteless. It is pitiful that someone with his skills has reduced what is undoubtedly a tragedy to something that he knows perfectly well will be controversial."
While the inclusion of the infamous Panorama interview and Diana's death and funeral has proved contentious, Morgan admits he considered leaving out the whole period of time entirely. When asked about speculation that the car crash that killed Diana and her then-boyfriend Dodi Fayed would be included, Morgan fervently refuted the claims, saying they were "never" going to show the crash.
The first half of season six of The Crown will drop on Netflix on November 16.