In the forthcoming and highly anticipated final season of the Netflix hit series, “The Crown,” viewers can expect to see a familiar face, albeit in character. Prince Harry, whose memoir “Spare” made headlines earlier this year, is set to make an appearance in the concluding season of the royal drama.
However, what may surprise some is that the storyline for the screen adaptation of “The Crown” remains uninfluenced by Prince Harry’s revealing memoir. The creator of the series, Peter Morgan, recently shared his perspective with Variety, stating that he deliberately avoided reading “Spare.”
“I’ve not read a word of it,” Morgan emphasized during the interview. “Not that I wouldn’t be interested. But I didn’t want his voice to inhabit my thinking too much. I’ve got a lot of sympathy with him, a lot of sympathy. But I didn’t want to read his book.”
Morgan’s creative vision for “The Crown” has consistently revolved around the direct line of succession to the British throne, featuring Queen Elizabeth, King Charles, and Prince William as central figures. While Prince Harry’s character is set to play a more prominent role in the final season, Morgan clarified that his role within the series primarily pertains to his relationship with Prince William.
Prince Harry, along with his wife Meghan Markle, has a partnership with Netflix. However, Prince Harry has previously described “The Crown” as a work of fiction. In a 2021 appearance on James Corden’s late-night show, he characterized the series as fiction, albeit loosely based on historical events.
“It’s fiction. But it’s loosely based on the truth. Of course, it’s not strictly accurate,” Prince Harry explained. He expressed a level of comfort with “The Crown,” particularly when compared to media stories about his family, as it is explicitly recognized as a fictional representation.
Ted Sarandos, the co-chief executive officer of Netflix, acknowledged that discussions regarding “The Crown” with Prince Harry have been handled with care, recognizing the sensitivity surrounding the subject matter.
The sixth and final season of “The Crown,” set to span the years from 1997 to 2005, is expected to cover the tragic death of Princess Diana, an event deeply personal to Prince Harry. His memoir, “Spare,” offered poignant reflections on that period, particularly his experience at the age of 12 when his father, Prince Charles, shared the news of Princess Diana’s accident.
In his memoir, Prince Harry remembered eagerly waiting for his father’s confirmation that Princess Diana was safe, only to be met with silence.
Prince Harry, often identified as the “spare” to his older brother, Prince William, has openly discussed the challenges of living in the shadow of his sibling. He has emphasized that “Spare” represents a raw account of his life, encompassing both the positive and negative aspects. His hope is that his family approaches the memoir with an open mind, recognizing it as a continuation of his personal journey toward better mental health.
“The Crown’s” final season is poised to delve into the intricate dynamics of the royal family during this period, with Prince Harry’s character playing a central role in the unfolding narrative. As viewers eagerly await the series’ conclusion, the portrayal of Prince Harry’s character promises to be a fitting farewell to this remarkable drama.
