Prince Charles and Prince Andrew’s relationship in The Crown is ‘not accurate’: royal expert says 

The Crown’s portrayal of Prince Charles and Prince Andrew as warring brothers is ‘not accurate’ because the pair enjoyed a close relationship in the early years of their respective marriages, a royal expert has claimed.

The fourth series of the hit Netflix shows Prince Andrew (Andrew Buchan) accusing Prince Charles (Josh O’Connor) of being ‘jealous’ of his military record and popularity around the time of his 1986 wedding to Sarah Ferguson. 

But in reality the brothers were close and, together with Sarah Ferguson and Princess Diana, established themselves as the original ‘fab four’ of the royal family, Katie Nicholl told Australian website 9Honey.

It was only later that a rivalry developed between them, she said.   

She said: ‘There absolutely has been rivalry between Andrew and Charles but my understanding is that that rivalry developed at a later stage in life and that actually, when they were young handsome princes enjoying their early years of marriage, they were the “Fab Four”. 

‘They were the ones going on holidays together, they were the ones skiing together. And they had these sort of bright, gorgeous, exciting, new royal wives and there was actually, I think, more companionship between them at that stage in their life than perhaps at any other.

‘So, I’m not sure that that’s an entirely accurate reflection of their relationship at all. That rivalry, that jealousy came later.’ 

In The Crown, Prince Andrew is portrayed telling the Queen he has asked Edward, rather than Charles, to be best man at his wedding to give Charles the feeling of being sidelined – while also insisting he would’ve been a better heir. 

Charles also calls Andrew a ‘fringe’ member of the royal family.

Despite the inaccuracies in the brother’s representation, Katie added that Sarah Ferguson who lives at the Royal Lodge in Windsor with Andrew, is unlikely to be disappointed with her portrayal in The Crown.

She said Fergie ‘was used to’ coming second to Diana in real life and therefore wouldn’t be surprised at similarities in the on screen adaptation. 

The royal commentator added that the Duchess of York could be given a more prominent role in series five. 

Social media users and critics have blasted the current series of The Crown since its release in November, however the Royal Family hasn’t voiced their views about the controversial episodes.