The Earl has thrown his support behind calls for the controversial program to have a warning for viewers. During an appearance on ITV’s Lorraine: “I think it would help The Crown an enormous amount if – at the beginning of each episode – it stated that: ‘This isn’t true, but it is based around some real events’.
“Then, everyone would understand it’s drama for drama’s sake.
“Obviously Netflix wants to make a lot of money and that’s why people are in the business of making these things.
“I worry people do think that this is gospel, and that’s unfair.”
In a separate interview with Alan Titchmarsh on the ITV show Love Your Weekend, the Earl revealed the show’s producers approached him to film at Althorn estate, where he and Diana grew up.
He added that his concern was that people take the show as a matter-of-fact portrayal.
The Earl said: “Actually, The Crown asked if they could film at Althorp and I said obviously not.
He added: “The worry for me is that people see a program like that and they forget that it is fiction.
“They assume, especially foreigners, I find Americans tell me they have watched The Crown as if they have taken a history lesson. Well, they haven’t.”
In his determination to protect Diana’s legacy, Lord Spencer said the BBC have “very, very serious questions to answer” following claims journalist Martin Bashir had used unethical techniques to secure his bombshell Panorama interview with the late princess.
During his interview with Lorraine Kelly, he said receiving an apology from the BBC would make him feel “semi-vindicated”.
He said: “There’s not an enormous amount I can say because the matter has gone to inquiry and my lawyers are very keen that I don’t muddy the waters, but I think it’s very important for people to realise what this isn’t about.
“This isn’t me saying Diana should or shouldn’t have spoken – that was something separate.
