Exclusive

'The Crown enhanced the monarchy’s image’: Sir Jonathan Pryce dismisses show's role in Kate conspiracy theories

27 March 2024, 19:54

Did The Crown make Princess Kate conspiracies worse?

By Jenny Medlicott

Sir Jonathan Pryce has said he believes The Crown ‘enhanced’ the image of the monarchy as he shut down any suggestion the drama may have contributed to conspiracy theories about Princess Kate.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The actor, who played Prince Philip in the Netflix drama The Crown, said he believes the show helped the public 'sympathise' with the Royal Family.

Speaking to LBC’s Tonight with Andrew Marr, asked if the show may have contributed to Kate conspiracy theories and a general distorted view of the monarchy, Sir Jonathan said: “No, I think The Crown did nothing but enhance the image of the Royal Family.”

“It made them entirely sympathetic family with the problems that all of us have.”

Instead, he suggested that the recent conspiracy theories about the Princess of Wales before she revealed her cancer diagnosis were more likely because of the internet.

He continued: “I think that these latest things are to do with the internet especially, the media a little, searching for a story. They love a conspiracy theory.”

It comes after the Princess of Wales announced last week that she is receiving preventative chemotherapy after an operation she had in January revealed cancer had been present.

Sir Jonathan has said he believes the show 'enhanced' the image of the monarchy.
Sir Jonathan has said he believes the show 'enhanced' the image of the monarchy. Picture: Alamy

Kate had been made the subject of intense online speculation over her health and whereabouts before she quashed them with her announcement last Friday.

Earlier on Wednesday, Queen Camilla revealed that Kate has been “thrilled by all the kind wishes and support” sent to her by the public after she opened up about her treatment.

On a visit to a farmers’ market in Shrewsbury, Camilla met two young well-wishers who had made posters for Kate. She promised to deliver them, telling the girls: “I know that Catherine is thrilled by all the kind wishes and support.”

Camilla is the most senior royal to return to public-facing duties as the monarchy faces a double cancer scare.

Meanwhile, the Princess of Wales was praised by health leaders and charities following her video announcement as it led to a surge in the number of Brits checking symptoms for cancer.

Kate was the subject of online speculation about her health before she made the announcement.
Kate was the subject of online speculation about her health before she made the announcement. Picture: Alamy

In the 24 hours after Kate's announcement, there were 2,840 visits to the NHS cancer page, around five times higher than the visits in the same period in the previous week, The Mirror reports.

Meanwhile, there were more than 100,000 visits to the Macmillan Cancer Support website over the weekend.

NHS England cancer director Prof Peter Johnson said: “The Princess of Wales bravely speaking out about her diagnosis will help others do the same.

“Thanks to this, we have seen a spike in people visiting vital information on our site about signs and symptoms. Talking about cancer saves lives if it encourages people to come forward sooner if things aren’t right.”

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The Princess Royal during a visit to Southmead Hospital in Bristol to thank the team of doctors, nurses and health professionals who treated her following her accident in June 2024.

Princess Anne returns to the intensive care unit where she had treatment for head injuries

Breaking
A utility firm has admitted its equipment started one of the LA fires last month.

California utility says its equipment likely sparked fire that raged through LA

Yusuf Kayat, 54, from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, has been jailed for 20 years

Paedophile who plied girl, 10, with alcohol, cigarettes, and cannabis before grooming her for sex with other men jailed

Salim Iskef, 29, was one of ten people killed by lone gunman Rickard Andersson, 35, at Orebro's Risbergska adult education centre on Tuesday.

Heartbreaking final words of Sweden mass shooting victim shared with mum and fiancé revealed

Exclusive
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer speaks to the media during a visit to Springfields (Preston Lab), National Nuclear Laboratory.

UK must make it harder to buy knives online to prevent repeat of Southport killings, PM tells LBC

UK resident comes forward to claim £83m EuroMillions jackpot

UK winner comes forward to claim £83.5million EuroMillions jackpot 13 days after draw

Cold Snap Brings Freezing Temperatures To Parts Of UK

Cold health alerts issued as temperatures set to plummet over weekend as the Beast from the East returns

Lucy Letby has been described as 'dangerous, weird and whining' in jail

'Dangerous, weird and whining': Inside Lucy Letby's life behind bars

A British content creator who flew to Spain to buy olive oil has claimed his whole round trip was cheaper than buying a bottle in the UK.

‘I flew to Spain and bought olive oil for under £7.38 - that's how much a bottle costs in Britain'

Russia's President Vladimir Putin

Foreign Office expels Russian diplomat in retaliation amid 'spying' row

Donald Trump is reportedly set to unveil his 100-day peace plan for Ukraine next week.

Donald Trump poised to unveil '100-day' peace plan for Ukraine next week

Winter sky close to Clitheroe, Ribble Valley, Lancashire, UK.

Warmest January on record smashes global temperatures and leaves climate scientists alarmed

The clamour grows for Lucy Letby to get a retrial. Here is why I think she shouldn't.

The clamour grows for Lucy Letby to get a retrial. Here is why I think she shouldn't

Exclusive
Josh Cuthbert

X Factor star opens up about mental health struggles - and why he won't release more music

Members of a specialist British military unit who shot dead four IRA men in an ambush in Co Tyrone in 1992 used lethal force which was not justified, a coroner has ruled. (File Photo)

SAS unit ‘unjustified’ in shooting dead four IRA terrorists in ambush inquest rules

During a visit from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Donald Trump announced plans for US ownership of the Gaza Strip, declaring "the Gaza thing has never worked."

Donald Trump claims no US troops will be needed for his plan to turn Gaza Strip into 'Riviera of the Middle East’