The wait is finally over. The fifth season of The Crown has officially dropped on Netflix, and the story of the British royal family picks up in a whole new decade — in 1991. While the highly acclaimed series heavily relies on history, it also takes creative liberties from time to time. In fact, former Prime Minister John Major and Dame Judi Dench called for a disclaimer labeling the show as fiction. As we tune into the drama inspired by historical events, GRAZIA USA is unpacking every time we asked ourselves, “Did that really happen?”
First up, we’re diving into The Crown episode 2, “The System,” when James Colthurst, a friend of Princess Diana (portrayed by Elizabeth Debicki), reveals that journalist Andrew Morton is writing a book about her. In the series, the author asks that she provide input via tape recording, proposing that they would not have to meet face-to-face and that this could be a chance to take control of her own story. A hesitant Diana is interested in the prospect, without wanting to make any waves. The author reassures her and offers to send her a draft to read before she makes her decision.
Feeling as though she’s been left with no other choice, the Princess of Wales records secret tapes at Kensington Palace with Colthurst. She tearfully recalls a turbulent childhood, her struggles with bulimia, and her tumultuous, unhappy marriage with Prince Charles. Diana reveals she attempted suicide, throwing herself down a flight of stairs at Sandringham when she was pregnant with Prince William.
Before long, Prince Philip is informed that Diana may be participating in a story that will paint the royal family in an unflattering light. Quickly thereafter, a van hits Colthurst while on a bike ride and Morton’s home was ransacked.
(Photo By: Richard Corkery/NY Daily News via Getty Images)
In reality, the explosive 1992 book Diana: Her True Story went on to become a bestseller after many wrote it off as a work of fiction. It was even banned from many major bookstores. But according to the author, Princess Diana did in fact participate in the interviews.
Morton kept quiet about Lady Diana’s involvement during her life, but went onto reveal the truth of how it all occurred after the Princess’ death in 1997. The author told the Daily Mail in 2017, “I was keen to talk to the Princess directly, but this was simply out of the question. At 6ft 4in tall and as a writer known to Palace staff, I’d hardly be inconspicuous.”
He explained, “I interviewed her by proxy — giving my questions to James Colthurst [the pair’s mutual friend], who then conducted six taped interviews with her in her sitting room at Kensington Palace.” According to Morton, she admitted to an eating disorder and self-harm, partly brought about by feeling ignored and unloved within her marriage.
“The Princess was talking about her unhappiness, her sense of betrayal, her suicide attempts — and two things I’d never previously heard of: an eating disorder called bulimia nervosa and a woman called Camilla,” Morton said.
