Part two of The Crown season six begins in a very particular way: a somber Prince William (Ed McVey), mourning the recent loss of his mother, Princess Diana, listens to "My Favourite Game" by the Cardigans. Soon, it's dead silent, with only the clinking of spoons as noise as he eats breakfast with his father, Prince Charles (Dominic West).
"Would you like some of this muesli?" Charles asks his son. "It's delicious." William shakes his head, and Charles keeps eating.
It's a small detail, but one that speaks to the commitment of The Crown and creator Peter Morgan to get the quirks of the British royals right. Because yes, King Charles really eats muesli every day for breakfast.
A bowl of muesli, a favorite breakfast of the king.
"He normally starts the day with some fruit for breakfast, often some plums from the garden that have been lightly poached. A little juice and some muesli to go with it," former royal chef Darren McGrady told Delish. Another royal chef, Graham Newbould, explained, "Wherever the Prince goes in the world, the breakfast box goes with him. He has six different types of honey, some special mueslis, his dried fruit and anything that's a bit special that he is a bit fussy about."
The opening scene of episode five is a favorite of actor Dominic West. "I love that bit," West tells Town & Country. "I bet Peter was drawing on his own experience with his sons, and I've certainly felt it with mine, where that time when everything you do as a dad irritates them. What you're listening to on the radio, the way you're crunching that muesli. The way your habits become, having been something that you worship in your father, become the thing you detest. I suppose that's part of adolescence, or growing up."
McVey and West filming a scene in The Crown.
Other of West's favorite quirks about Charles? He explains, "You never know what's true, but I remember finding it quite odd whenever he has dinner, he's got a notepad. So when he's talking to someone, he'll take notes. He's a hugely conscientious working Prince and he would take notes."
West adds, "And then also things like he has his own teacup and he has his own wherever he goes. All that stuff is hilarious and wonderful for an actor because if he was a little laissez-faire, or a little less idiosyncratic and peculiar, then there'd be less to go on, really."
Emily Burack (she/her) is the Senior News Editor for Town & Country, where she covers entertainment, culture, the royals, and a range of other subjects. Before joining T&C, she was the deputy managing editor at Hey Alma, a Jewish culture site. Follow her @emburack on Twitter and Instagram.
FAQs
"Would you like some of this muesli?" Charles asks his son. "It's delicious." William shakes his head, and Charles keeps eating. It's a small detail, but one that speaks to the commitment of The Crown and creator Peter Morgan to get the quirks of the British royals right.
Does the royal family agree with The Crown? ›
As you might expect, over the years the royal family has been wary of giving The Crown its approval. And, as each episode gets closer to the modern day, the stories that Morgan is depicting are increasingly likely to still be quite raw.
How much of The Crown is true? ›
The show, which takes viewers behind the closed doors of royal life, undoubtedly strays into the realms of supposition on occasion. But much of the action is drawn the very real personal and political challenges that beset many members of the British royal family in the 20th and into the 21st century.
What does Prince William think of The Crown? ›
While William refuses to watch The Crown, his brother Prince Harry, 39, has a more relaxed attitude about the Netflix hit. During an interview with James Corden in 2021, the Duke of Sussex said, “They don't pretend to be news. It's fiction. But it's loosely based on the truth.
What does Prince Charles eat for breakfast? ›
"He normally starts the day with some fruit for breakfast, often some plums from the garden that have been lightly poached. A little juice and some muesli to go with it," former royal chef Darren McGrady told Delish.
Did Dodi propose to Diana? ›
The 2007 inquiry conducted by Metropolitan Police found that while Fayed may have been planning a proposal, that evidence points to the conclusion that one did not take place, per CBS News. The ring was found at Fayed's flat, which Diana had not visited that day.
Did Queen Elizabeth love Philip? ›
A look back at the remarkable love story of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip: "The only man I could ever love" Queen Elizabeth II spent her entire 70-year reign at the helm of Britain's royal family with her long-time love Prince Philip by her side.
What parts of The Crown are not true? ›
10 Biggest Historical Inaccuracies in The Crown
- 1 Queen Mary Didn't Decide the Romanovs' Fate.
- 2 The Timing of the Royal Love Quadrangle. ...
- 3 Margaret Thatcher's Decision About the Falklands War. ...
- 4 Elizabeth II Responds Late to the Aberfan Disaster. ...
- 5 Winston Churchill and Elizabeth II Had a Different Relationship. ...
The Crown took creative liberties and introduced Kate Middleton as a character, but her meeting with Princess Diana never happened in real life.
Why did the Queen bow to Diana? ›
As the carriage carrying the late Princess of Wales' coffin was pulled past the royal family, Elizabeth dipped her head in a deep bow, an unprecedented sign of respect from a sitting monarch. It is thought to be the only time that Queen Elizabeth II ever bowed to anyone else during her time on the throne.
In 2022, reports indicated that Meghan Markle had been requested to stay behind while Prince Harry made his journey to Scotland, with the perception that Kate was also excluded for similar reasons. But according to royal biographer Hardman, Kate made the decision herself.
Was The Crown filmed in Buckingham Palace? ›
The indoor scenes at Buckingham, Palace were shot in Lancaster Home—which, by the way, is only a five-minute walk from Buckingham Palace. The visuals speak for themself, but our breath was absolutely taken away when we saw that iconic staircase, bold color palette, and the dazzling chandeliers.
Why did William change in The Crown? ›
Dominic West says he stopped his son Senan West from continuing as Prince William in The Crown to avoid depicting the aftermath of Princess Diana's death. Dominic, 54, made the revelation in a new interview with the Radio Times magazine, explaining what went into the decision.
What does King Charles refuse to eat? ›
02/9Foie Gras
It's a delicacy consumed by many people across the world but is something that King Charles refuses to eat. This delicacy is nothing, but the enlarged liver of a duck or goose and has been banned in royal kitchens since 2008.
What does King Charles not eat? ›
Charles also abstains from meat and fish on two days of the week, while he avoids dairy products additionally on one of those days, according to an interview with the BBCin 2021.
What is Princess Diana's favorite food? ›
According to Chef Darren McGrady, vegetarian stuffed peppers were one of Princess Diana's favorite meals, which she would eat 2-3 times a week. McGrady would stuff red bell peppers full of nutritious vegetables like zucchini and mushrooms, along with rice, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
Is The Crown pro or anti-monarchy? ›
At the same time, he told television industry magazine Deadline, the series is “a contribution to the history of the UK”. Morgan himself has made no secret of the fact that he began writing The Crown as a staunch republican. “I came at it as completely anti-monarchist.”
What did the Queen think of Diana? ›
“She was an exceptional and gifted human being. In good times and bad, she never lost her capacity to smile and laugh, nor to inspire others with her warmth and kindness. I admired and respected her—for her energy and commitment to others, and especially for her devotion to her two boys.”
Can The Crown get sued? ›
The Crown Proceedings Act 1947 (10 & 11 Geo. 6. c. 44) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that allowed, for the first time, civil actions against the Crown to be brought in the same way as against any other party.
Who is the rightful heir to The Crown? ›
King Charles III has been the sovereign since 2022, and his heir apparent is his elder son, William, Prince of Wales. William's three children are next, in order of birth: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
