According to Seward, Knatchbull was part of the difficult conversation following Philips car accident about giving up driving. Their marriage gave her the title of Lady Romsey, later becoming The Lady Brabourne in 2017, and she has now inherited the title of Countess Mountbatten of Burma. Weeks before The Crown's fifth season premiered on Nov. 9, rumors were already circulating that the new episodes would cover Prince Philip and now-Countess Penny's friendship. Coming just weeks after the nation laid Her Majesty to rest next to Prince Philip, this is very distasteful and, quite frankly, cruel rubbish, he told the publication. She was dating Norton Knatchbull,. The Express claimed that the queen was impressed by how Knatchbull handled the death of her daughter Leonora and her fortitude in the face of her husband Norton's well-publicized affair. Penelope Knatchbull (ne Eastwood) is the wife of Norton Knatchbull, the grandson of Earl Mountbatten (The Crown watchers know him as Uncle Dickie) and Prince Philip's own godson. Her presence at the funeral among only thirty attendees is exactly what the late Duke would have wanted, and the entire family will be pleased to have her among them on the sombre occasion. The Daily Mail claims that Nicholas was at one time addicted to crack and heroin. Here they are together at Nortons christening: On top of all that, Norton is also Prince Charless second cousinand Charles was actually the best man at Norton and Pennys wedding: Anyway, Penny became close to the royals in part through her husband and was often seen hanging with Prince Charles: But she became particularly tight with Nortons godfather Prince Philip thanks to their shared love for carriage driving. The British actor also appeared in The Truman Show, Solaris and The Other Boleyn Girl.. In real life as on Netflix, the story of Uncle Dickie was one of the Royal Familys greatest traumas and tragedies as he was, indeed, murdered by the Irish Republican Army at age 79. The full blossoming of friendship between the prince and Knatchbull came in 1991. It was only when he feared he would be cut off from the familys 100million fortune that he checked into rehab and kicked his habits. Elena Nicolaou is a senior entertainment editor at Today.com, where she covers the latest in TV, pop culture, movies and all things streaming. If Philip had been looking down on them, he surely would have been smiling too. To revist this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. She was seen standing behind the Queen, broad grins on both their faces. The Knatchbulls' five-year-old daughter Leonora dies after a 14-month battle with cancer. In 1981, when it was in the hands of Penelope and Norton Knatchbull, Prince Charles and Princess Diana spent the first part of their honeymoon there as well. The royal family attended, and Prince Charles, the groom's second cousin, even served as best man. Penny continued to visit Philip until he died on April 9. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. Josh OConnor, who played Prince Charles in seasons 3 and 4, refused to reenact the scandalous conversation. It may be that she harbored suspicions or resentments about the nature of Prince Philip's friendship with Penelope Knatchbull, or that she was upset by other rumors of infidelity during their long marriage. She studied in Switzerland and the London School of Economics, according to The Sun. Knatchbull split her youth between Great Britain and Switzerland. Although Her Majestyand probably many of us viewersfirst suspects him of having a romantic affair, Pryce's Philip assures her that his and Lady Penny's relationship is . It was the first season of the series to be released following both the death of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh on 9 April 2021 and the death of Queen Elizabeth II on 8 September 2022.. Imelda Staunton stars as Elizabeth, along with main cast members Jonathan . Princess Diana did have her own connection to the family though The Crown takes its liberties. Jeannie, as she is known, is the sister of former Bahamas Attorney General Sean McWeeney. Philip encouraged her to take up carriage driving and supported her when her husband, Norton, his godson, left her in 2010 for a fling with Nassau-based fashion designer Eugenie Nuttall.. The Truman Show actress Natascha McElhone plays Penny in The Crown, with veteran actor Jonathan Pryce taking over from Tobias Menzies as Philip. Who was Johnny Whited and what happened to Christopher Alvin Dailey. She and the duke also both shared a boisterous sense of humour, according to Ingrid. 57. But it was after Pennys five-year-old daughter Leonora died of kidney cancer in 1991 that Philip really began to take her under his wing. Penny, left to manage her and Nortons 5,000-acre Hampshire estate alone, reportedly gathered together all the staff while her estranged husband was mid-flight and told them he had gone but everything else would stay the same. On the inside, behind the large ornate story, their relationship was going through a shift. Penny and Philip met in 1974 and hit it off immediately despite their 32-year age difference, becoming closer when Pennys daughter sadly died of kidney cancer in 1991. She was diagnosed with cancer and died at age 5. Carriage driving is a sport where one driver steers a carriage drawn by one, two, or four horses, with three tests of skill and speed. She was the only non-family member at Philips small, Covid-restricted funeral, except for his personal secretary. Courtesy of Netflix; Steve Parsons/PA Wire. Penelope Knatchbull had a long-term friendship with Prince Philip. Per the Hampshire Chronicle, Penelope who is known affectionately as Lady Penny in Romsey pledged loyal service to the community. Whatever moved Norton to flee Britain and pursue his affair, he seemed to have a change of heart. Bedell Smith notes that Knatchbull was not the first woman with whom Philip had a close female friendship that raised eyebrows. More recently, she spends time with Philip at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate and is credited with persuading him to give up his driving license after his 2019 accident. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. A source close to the royal family is slamming Countess Mountbatten's portrayal in "The Crown" as "deliberately cruel" and "unnecessarily unsympathetic." Philip also gives sound advice on the running of the Broadlands estate, and they have the ability to cheer each other on even in the direst of circumstances. Philip and Penny, who is 32 years younger than the late Duke of Edinburgh, are said to have first met in 1975 when she became engaged to Norton Knatchbull. Information about the 4th season of The Crown has leaked out and, according to The Sun, the Netflix series will show Knatchbull and Philip in intimate scenes., This has caused controversy. Back then, Penny was simply Penelope Eastwood, daughter of Reg Eastwood, a wealthy butcher turned businessman who founded the Angus Steakhouse restaurants. It was even rumoured Prince Charles had cut off his friendship with Penny after someone close to him shared their suspicion that his father was having an affair with her. Penny returned to the Royal Windsor Horse Show last month without her decades-long comp-anion for the first time. By marriage, she's also kin to the royal family. A TV insider last year said: The highly personal relationship is unlikely to be welcomed as a storyline by the Queen or the rest of the Royal Family.. News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. As Diana and Charles wage a media. Because apparently, the show strongly implies that Penny and Prince Philip were having an affair. She has assumed management of the Mountbatten fortune, come to the Knatchbulls through Norton's grandfather Louis, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma (Norton is the third). She was dating Norton Knatchbull at the time. When he removed himself to the Bahamas in 2010, he relinquished the job, which largely consists of presiding over local functions in ceremonial dress. Her marriage troubles came on top of worry about their son, Nicholas, who was a year above Prince William at Eton, and had spent years hooked on crack cocaine and heroin. Following Philips 2021 death, Knatchbull was one of 30 guests invited to the royals funeral. Also called Uncle Dickie, his real name was Lord Louis Francis Albert Victor Nicholas Mountbatten, or simply Lord Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten. It's also implied in the movie, The Queen but that is also written by Peter Morgan. She never betrayed him. He withdrew to a five-bedroom home on the royal Sandringham estate, Wood Farm, and there was seen only by family and also Penny. His drug issues made his family question his future, but the Mail's story also claimed that he had kicked his habits and worked to repair his relationship with his father. That was certainly the case between Prince Philip and Penny Knatchbull. He told journalist Jeremy Paxman: Every time I talk to a woman they say Ive been to bed with her. Penny and Norton Knatchbull had three children: Alexandra, Nicholas and Leonora. There was never any question she would leave Broadlands, where every day she visits the tall stone monument, about 100 yards from the house, which stands above her daughter Leonoras grave. They also opened the Mountbatten Exhibition on the estate (per AP). THEIR friendship spanned decades and often raised eyebrows. The Independent quoted him as answering one such question with, "Good god, woman! According to Seward, Knatchbull was close to both Elizabeth and Philip, and is a friend to their son, now-King Charles III. In 2017, Prince Philip retired from public life, joking that he had to stand down as he wouldn't be standing up for much longer (per the Evening Standard). Its interesting, though slightly tangential, but after he retired to Wood Farm where he continued his carriage driving, he would go out every morning at nine. Indeed, she has been so much a part of royal life, household staff nicknamed her And Also, because whenever Philip listed guests who were to be invited to a royal do, he would end with and also Penny. February 27, 2023 . Knatchbull married Philips godson, Norton Knatchbull, Lord Romsey, on Oct. 20, 1979. Getty Three weeks after the accident, which Philip blamed on him being blinded by the low winter sun, it was announced he had stopped driving. She was the only non-family member at Philips small, Covid-restricted funeral, except for his personal secretary. Penny was introduced to Philip at age 20 while dating husband-to-be Norton Knatchbull, Philip's godson and grandson of the duke's uncle Lord Mountbatten. Pennys marriage broke down in 2010, after 31 years and three children. Apparently, the intimate scenes involve touching hands as he divulges details of his marriage and well actively see them pursuing an affair.. If she had been hurt by rumours of supposed dalliances, she would never let on., Philip himself would simply laugh off any suggestion of impropriety. Ingrid Seward, author of biography Prince Philip Revealed: A Man Of His Century, said: The Queen had enlisted the help of the Countess Mountbatten of Burma, who visited Philip and helped convince him to give up driving.. Penny Knatchbull is the wife of Norton Knatchbull, 3rd Earl Mountbatten of Burma, a cousin-once-removed of Prince Philip and with whom she shares three children. ", IRA assassinated Philip's grandfather, Lord Mountbatten. Nicholas's first child was born in June 2022. He trusted her implicitly and she adored him. ago. She was the only non-family member at Philips small, Covid-restricted funeral, except for his personal secretary. Here they are sharing a laugh in 2018: Meanwhile, Seward notes, Well never know how the Queen felt about it all. When they did tie the knot, with Prince Charles as best man, they inherited Mountbattens 18th-century, 60-room Broadlands estate near Romsey, Hants, where Charles and Di would spend part of their honeymoon two years later. As for Prince Philip (Jonathan Pryce), he develops a close friendship with family friend Penny Knatchbull while experiencing his own marital troubles with the queen. And if your response to that sentence is literally whomst, you are not alone! When asked more broadly about allegations he had affairs, Philip would snap at the press. Erica Gonzales is the Senior Culture Editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage on TV, movies, music, books, and more. Philip befriended her when her life began to fall apart following the death of her five-year-old daughter, Leonora, from kidney cancer in 1991, wrote Ingrid Seward in 2020s Prince Philip Revealed. ), Penny is the only daughter of Marian Hood and Reginald Eastwoodwho founded Angus Steakhouse. norton knatchbull illness. Penny was introduced to Philip at age 20 while dating husband-to-be Norton Knatchbull, Philips godson and grandson of the dukes uncle Lord Mountbatten. She later became the second-most important woman in the Duke of Edinburghs life a constant confidante, loyal companion and keeper of secrets,'" Seward wrote. The Crown creator Peter Morgan has long been fascinated by the 73-year marriage between Queen Elizabeth and her husband, Prince Philip, devoting story lines in the series first four seasons to the unique power dynamicdramatizing, for example, Philips struggle sacrificing his naval career to support his wife just five years into their marriage, when she suddenly became queen. That bit of matchmaking didn't work out, but Mountbatten was also supportive of Penelope's entering the family, according to Newsweek. She never betrayed him. Here they are driving around Windsor together in 2019: Royal expert Ingrid Seward writes in The Sun that Pennys marriage hit rock bottom at the time and she was left to maintain their family home: Running royal properties was something Philip knew full well, and having bonded with her over horses and carriage driving, their friendship blossomed further. GettyLord Brabourne and Lady Brabourne attend the funeral service of Patricia Knatchbull, Countess Mountbatten of Burma at St Pauls Church in Knightsbridge on June 27, 2017 in London, England. Ad Choices. According to royal biographer Ingrid Seward, Penny and Philip's friendship blossomed after the family tragedy. It was only when he feared he would be cut off from the familys 100million fortune that he checked into rehab and kicked his habits. The truth is that Penny was a long-time friend of the whole family. Thus, its not surprising that Philip and Penny would be close; the Mountbatten family had always figured prominently in Philips life story and his heart. I think because [the queen] understood him very well and she recognized [the friendships] for what they werethat they were based on some element, like carriage driving or a fondness for the work of Carl Jung, and that they were not affairs. Of course, incidents like this on the Isle of Wight only fuelled whispers that they may have been more than just good friends. Love Island's Olivia Hawkins breaks silence as she returns to the UK, Loose Women star lined up to be Strictly's first contestant in wheelchair, GMB's Kate Garraway reveals crippling cost of caring for her husband Derek, Stephen Bear 'broke behind bars' as his company is shut down before he's jailed, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. The civil ceremony at Broadlands was a far cry from his sister Alexandras lavish 2016 wedding at Romsey Abbey, in which she was given away by Prince Charles, as her father, The Queen and Philip watched. However, despite their estrangement, Penelope and Norton remained legally married. Knatchbull was born Penelope Eastwood. Indeed, she has been so much a part of royal life, household staff nicknamed her And Also, because whenever Philip listed guests who were to be invited to a royal do, he would end with and also Penny. Netflix are not interested in peoples feelings., While Penny Knatchbull, now 69, has not addressed the portrayal herself, a close friend reportedly told The Telegraph before the new season aired, This is indeed an ill-judged, unnecessarily unsympathetic, and unfortunate decision.. Jeannie, as she is known, is the sister of former Bahamas Attorney General Sean McWeeney. By coincidence, Leonora shared the same birthday as Uncle Dickie. The new season of the Netflix series will cover Princess Dianas infamous Panorama interview, the Windsor Castle fire, and much more. And they were often seen chilling at events: These two were so close, in fact, that Penny was one of only 30 mourners at Philips funeral: And she was also one of the mourners at the Queens funeral: According to reports from The Sun, The Crowns fifth season will showcase Prince Philip in intimate scenes with Penny. Of course, incidents like this on the Isle of Wight only fuelled whispers that they may have been more than just good friends. 690 comment s 1 video Who is Dr James Colthurst, Princess Diana's close friend in The Crown? The closeness between Philip and Penny clearly did not upset the Queen, at least not publicly. In the series, Philip befriends Knatchbull in 1991 after her five-year-old daughter, Leonora, dies from cancer. The Truman Show actress Natascha McElhone plays Penny in The Crown, with veteran actor Jonathan Pryce taking over from Tobias Menzies as Philip. Reginald, a one-time butcher, according toThe Telegraph, was the founder of the restaurant chain Aberdeen Steak House in the 1960s, later known as Angus Steak House. One source said at the time: Not for a moment would Penny allow her husbands departure to interrupt the smooth running of the estate.. She also appeared at. Per Hampshire Live, he opened his house to Queen Elizabeth II and Philip in the first days of their honeymoon. Prince Philip's relationship with aristocrat Penny Knatchbull, which reportedly raised some eyebrows in the 1990s, will get the Netflix treatment. Appearing on Palace Confidential, Dr Dunlop commented on a storyline in The Crown which will see Prince Philip pursuing a relationship with British aristocrat Penny Knatchbull. Her marriage troubles came on top of worry about their son, Nicholas, who was a year above Prince William at Eton, and had spent years hooked on crack cocaine and heroin. The Crown dramatizes the optics of Philips public friendship with a woman many years his junior. Penny continued to visit Philip until he died on April 9. They were even spotted dancing together at the Royal Yacht Squadron Ball during one Cowes Week. When they did tie the knot, with Prince Charles as best man, they inherited Mountbattens 18th-century, 60-room Broadlands estate near Romsey, Hants, where Charles and Di would spend part of their honeymoon two years later. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. The Daily Mail published photos of Norton and Nuttall strolling through Nassau after the split. The Royal Family, in particular The Queen, were full of admiration for Pennys stoicism. Her wedding was held only months after the assassination and was attended by the queen and Philip, then-Prince Charles, and other assorted royals. She and the duke also both shared a boisterous sense of humour, according to Ingrid. The day after Philip was laid to rest at St Georges Chapel, Windsor, Irish republican party Sinn Fein the political wing of the IRA apologised for Mountbattens assassination. Attn: everyone wondering if she *really* had an affair with Prince Philip. Penelope Knatchbull and Prince Philip in 2007. Charles, Philip's oldest son who is now the British sovereign, was Norton Knatchbull's best man in their wedding. There is a 75 percent chance she's listening to Lorde right now. Tatler reported that he came home in 2014. Philip always was a flirt and the Queen used to joke about his lascivious nature. According to theIrish Times,Knatchbull and Charles were once reported to be more than friends. Penny was introduced to Philip at age 20 while dating husband-to-be Norton Knatchbull, Philip's godson and grandson of the duke's uncle Lord Mountbatten. Indeed, the series doesn't show the two characters getting particularly affectionate; instead they bond over literature and carriage riding, heartfelt discussions about grief, and marital grievances. Educated in Switzerland, and with a business degree from the London School of Economics, friends describe her as being outgoing, engaged, clever and well-read. Promise. He trusted her implicitly and she adored him. The couple revisited the estate in 2007 and recreated one of the photos from that time for their 60th wedding anniversary. But author Ingrid said: Well never know how the Queen felt about it all. She was one of the only people apart from family members who he saw at Wood Farm, the five-bedroom home on the Sandringham estate where he spent most of his time after he retired from royal duties in 2017. The tabloids haven't left Charles and Penelope alone in the years since the wedding. Dominic West, his successor, will. Charles was the best man when Penelope and Norton married. Born Penelope Meredith Mary Knatchbull (are you even a member of English high society if you dont have a million names? RSPCA rescue dog after it's seen being dragged along road by woman on a mobility scooter as witnesses scream in horror, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). Express reported that Penny regularly saw Philip before his death, and the Queen sought her help to get the aging Duke of Edinburgh to stop driving. They also shared an enthusiasm for races of another kind: mini motorbikes. Inside Prince Philip's 'highly personal' relationship with Penny Knatchbull - the only non-Royal invited to his funeral Kate Jackson Published : 10:36, 10 Nov 2022 There was never any question she would leave Broadlands, where every day she visits the tall stone monument, about 100 yards from the house, which stands above her daughter Leonoras grave. Leonora, sadly, did not survive to adulthood. When they did tie the knot, with Prince Charles as best man, they inherited Mountbattens 18th-century, 60-room Broadlands estate near Romsey, Hants, where Charles and Di would spend part of their honeymoon two years later. Nortons relationship to the British royals runs deep, but for starters, he was the grandson of Lord Mountbattenwho viewers of The Crown know was very close to then-Prince Charles. Meanwhile, Norton was also Prince Philips godson. Theres already major backlash to this alleged narrative decision, and the Queens former press secretary Dickie Arbiter told The Sun that coming just weeks after the nation laid Her Majesty to rest next to Prince Philip, this is very distasteful and, quite frankly, cruel rubbish. The revelations that have leaked from Prince Harrys memoir, Palace Insiders Say Prince William Is Already Furious About Prince Harrys Memoir Leaks, Prince Harry alleges Prince William attacked him over Meghan Markle in a new excerpt from. It also features Queen Elizabeth II (Imelda Staunton) grappling with the monarchy's declining relevance in the 1990s and Princess Margaret (Lesley Manville) revisiting a long-lost love. Penny Knatchbull is a member of the British aristocracy and related by marriage to the royals, including both Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. So little wonder the makers of TVs The Crown have delved into the extraordinary relationship between Prince Philip and Penny Knatchbull in the new series of the Netflix drama. After theyd spent a weekend with her, [Penny] said that [Diana] appeared to be auditioning for a role in a costume drama. If Philip had been looking down on them, he surely would have been smiling too. The Countess Mountbatten of Burma 32 years younger than the late Duke of Edinburgh, who died in April 2021 aged 99 has been a trusted member of the Royal Familys inner circle for years and bonded with Philip through their love of carriage driving. The earlier season of the popular show showed that Mountbatten was especially close to Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. One source said at the time: Not for a moment would Penny allow her husbands departure to interrupt the smooth running of the estate.. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. And so it was the same kind of thing. They later established the Leonora Children's Cancer Fund charity in her memory. One source said: He was a tremendous support during a time of unimaginable grief.. Prince Philip, officially opened and was shown round the new art, drama and dance facilities at the further education college which offers up to 2,000 courses. In happier times, she could be seen on the balcony of Buckingham Palace alongside the royal family, waving at the crowds and taking in the trooping of the color (per the Irish Times). In 1979, five years after first meeting Philip and Queen Elizabeth II, Penelope Eastwood became Penelope Knatchbull when she married Norton Knatchbull, Philip's godson and King Charles III's second cousin, according toHarper's Bazaar.