Who Is Penny Knatchbull? Prince Philip's Close Friend in 'The Crown' Philip says he thought that Charles . He trusted her implicitly and she adored him. Alexandra, a financial analyst known as Knatch, chose to marry Thomas Hooper, an entrepreneur, on what would have been her sister Leonoras 30th birthday. It was even rumoured Prince Charles had cut off his friendship with Penny after someone close to him shared their suspicion that his father was having an affair with her. Both Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip reached out to the Knatchbulls after the death of their five year-old daughter . Alexandra, a financial analyst known as Knatch, chose to marry Thomas Hooper, an entrepreneur, on what would have been her sister Leonoras 30th birthday. It's also implied in the movie, The Queen but that is also written by Peter Morgan. Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. Penny, left to manage her and Nortons 5,000-acre Hampshire estate alone, reportedly gathered together all the staff while her estranged husband was mid-flight and told them he had gone but everything else would stay the same. Inside Queen Elizabeth's Relationship With Penelope Knatchbull Meanwhile, Norton was also Prince Philips godson. Shes lost her best friend, Express reported. The bomb blast on board his fishing boat off County Sligo, Ireland, which featured in the last series of The Crown, also killed Nortons 14-year-old brother Nicholas and his grandmother, Lady Brabourne. Who was Johnny Whited and what happened to Christopher Alvin Dailey. So why is her appearance in The Crown so controversial? There may be no evidence for rumors that Penelope Knatchbull and Prince Philip carried on an affair, but it is a matter of public record that Penelope's own marriage was marred by infidelity. Penny Knatchbull & Prince Philip Relationship: 5 Facts | Heavy.com Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. Prince Philip and Penny Knatchbull's Relationship Timeline Born Penelope Meredith Mary Eastwood on April 16, 1953, she is the only daughter of a wealthy business owner and grew up in Switzerland before going on to graduate from the London School of Economics in 1976. She was a keeper not only of his secrets but those of the family.. She and the duke also both shared a boisterous sense of humour, according to Ingrid. Carriage driving is a sport where one driver steers a carriage drawn by one, two, or four horses, with three tests of skill and speed. Philip always was a flirt and the Queen used to joke about his lascivious nature. To palace staff, she had another nickname: "And Also." Penny's friendship with Prince Philip unfolded after her daughter's death, Seward wrote in Prince Philip Revealed, per Today. Ingrid Seward, author of biography Prince Philip Revealed: A Man Of His Century, said: The Queen had enlisted the help of the Countess Mountbatten of Burma, who visited Philip and helped convince him to give up driving.. Penny Eastwood marries Norton Knatchbull at Romsey Abbey in Hampshire, England. 'The Crown' portrayal of Countess Mountbatten slammed: report Im talking about the Countess of Westmorland, the Duchess of Abercorn, clarifies Bedell Smith. Here's The Scoop On Her And Their Relationship, Prince Philip Revealed: A Man of His Century. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. However testy that conversation may have gone, Knatchbull remained a visitor to Wood Farm until Philip's death in 2021. She did say at one point that they had a very close friendship, but it had everything to do with ideas, recalls Bedell Smith. The queen and Knatchbull at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 2018. Nicholas's first child was born in June 2022. Her husband Norton Knatchbull is Philip's godson and a grandson of Philip's uncle, Louis Mountbatten (per iNews). She did allow Norton back to Broadlands in 2014, not to themarital home, but to a converted barn there. Indeed, she has been so much a part of royal life, household staff nicknamed her And Also, because whenever Philip listed guests who were to be invited to a royal do, he would end with and also Penny. The civil ceremony at Broadlands was a far cry from his sister Alexandras lavish 2016 wedding at Romsey Abbey, in which she was given away by Prince Charles, as her father, The Queen and Philip watched. The bomb blast on board his fishing boat off County Sligo, Ireland, which featured in the last series of The Crown, also killed Nortons 14-year-old brother Nicholas and his grandmother, Lady Brabourne. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. She explicitly said, I did not go to bed with him. They shared this passion for Carl Jung that also Prince Charles had.. The Daily Mail quoted an anonymous aide saying that when they drew up a guest list for a family function, private or public, big or small, Prince Philip would review the invitations and inevitably say, "and also Penny." To prove that he has nothing to hide, Philip even convinces his wife to befriend Penny (played by Natasha McElhone) herself. News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. He encouraged Penny to take up his sport of carriage driving, to distract her, and got his head groom Micky Flynn to show her the ropes. Netflix are not interested in peoples feelings.. Where are 'Scream killers' Brian Draper and Torey Adamcik now? Penny is thought to have met Philip in 1974 when she was dating Norton Knatchbull, now the 3rd Earl Mountbatten of Burma, one of Prince Charles's closest friends at Gordonstoun School in Scotland. It was even rumoured Prince Charles had cut off his friendship with Penny after someone close to him shared their suspicion that his father was having an affair with her. Devastated by this horror, Penny and Norton decided to postpone their wedding for two months. When asked more broadly about allegations he had affairs, Philip would snap at the press. Unlike her husband, Penny was the daughter of a. The day after Philip was laid to rest at St Georges Chapel, Windsor, Irish republican party Sinn Fein the political wing of the IRA apologised for Mountbattens assassination. Devastated by this horror, Penny and Norton decided to postpone their wedding for two months. Netflix has confirmed that this show is indeed a fictional dramatization, shortly after a public slam from the dame. All rights reserved. They also opened the Mountbatten Exhibition on the estate (per AP). That bit of matchmaking didn't work out, but Mountbatten was also supportive of Penelope's entering the family, according to Newsweek. Her marriage troubles came on top of worry about their son, Nicholas, who was a year above Prince William at Eton, and had spent years hooked on crack cocaine and heroin. This friendship did exist in real life, though (and viewers should know this by now) The Crown imagines how exact interactions and conversations went down. However, there is no question that Knatchbull and Philip were very close. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. During the 1990s . The Crown casts Natascha McElhone as Penny Knatchbull, Prince Philip's Following Philips 2021 death, Knatchbull was one of 30 guests invited to the royals funeral. Vanity Fair may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Penny was introduced to Philip at age 20 while dating husband-to-be Norton Knatchbull, Philip's godson and grandson of the duke's uncle Lord Mountbatten. The fifth-season story lineabout Philips relationship with his carriage-driving companion, who was more than 30 years youngercaused controversy even before episodes aired. The Duke of Edinburgh and Penelope Knatchbull carriage riding in 2007. ", IRA assassinated Philip's grandfather, Lord Mountbatten. Tatler reports that King Charles III is godfather to the Knatchbull's oldest, Nicholas, and that he gave Alexandra away at her wedding to Thomas Hooper in 2016 (Norton was said to be too ill). Its absolutely cuckoo.. On the inside, behind the large ornate story, their relationship was going through a shift. Philip's relationship with Penny Knatchbull: 'Neither gave a damn' She was only 5 years old. She has also been known as Lady Romsey and Lady Brabourne, as well as the High Steward of Romsey. With Philip and Penny, who was previously known as Lady Romsey then Lady Brabourne, it was a meeting of the minds. After the young Leonoras 1991 death, Charles was consolingand his father also drew closer to Knatchbull. According to Seward, Knatchbull was close to both Elizabeth and Philip, and is a friend to their son, now-King Charles III. Earl Mountbatten is a relative of Prince Philips uncle, the first Earl Mountbatten, to whom Philip was exceptionally close. Prince Philip and Penny at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 2007. The earlier season of the popular show showed that Mountbatten was especially close to Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. And I thought it was very comparable to the kind of relationship he had with Penny., Though Knatchbull has never spoken publicly about Philip, Bedell Smith notes that Sacha Abercorn attempted to put rumors to rest. He trusted her implicitly and she adored him. Morgan imagined what it was like to be the young queen in the 1950s, when she was routinely confronted with reports of her husbands alleged infidelity. Appearing on Palace Confidential, Dr Dunlop commented on a storyline in The Crown which will see Prince Philip pursuing a relationship with British aristocrat Penny Knatchbull. The Royal Family, in particular The Queen, were full of admiration for Pennys stoicism. Nicholas is in line to inherit the wealth of the Mountbatten family and his father's titles, but he was reportedly once in danger of being disinherited. Who is Dr James Colthurst, Princess Diana's close friend in The Crown? If Philip had been looking down on them, he surely would have been smiling too. Philip always had women friends. In May last year, tattooed Nicholas, 40, a music producer and gardener, married Ambre Pouzet, a French former fire-eating mermaid performer. The grandson of Lord Louis Mountbatten, Lord Romsey, marries Penelope Eastwood at Romsey Abbey on October 20, 1979. Whatever moved Norton to flee Britain and pursue his affair, he seemed to have a change of heart. One source said at the time: Not for a moment would Penny allow her husbands departure to interrupt the smooth running of the estate.. THEIR friendship spanned decades and often raised eyebrows. The truth is that Penny was a long-time friend of the whole family. When Philip was involved in a car accident near the Queens Norfolk retreat of Sandringham in January 2019, Her Majesty dispatched Penny to encourage the duke to surrender his drivers licence. ), Penny is the only daughter of Marian Hood and Reginald Eastwoodwho founded Angus Steakhouse. It wasn't the first time in his life the prince faced accusations of infidelity. The fifth season of The Crown, which follows the life and reign of Queen Elizabeth II, was released by Netflix on 9 November 2022. Indeed, she has been so much a part of royal life, household staff nicknamed her And Also, because whenever Philip listed guests who were to be invited to a royal do, he would end with and also Penny. Penny Knatchbull is the wife of Norton Knatchbull, 3rd Earl Mountbatten of Burma, a cousin-once-removed of Prince Philip and with whom she shares three children. The civil ceremony at Broadlands was a far cry from his sister Alexandras lavish 2016 wedding at Romsey Abbey, in which she was given away by Prince Charles, as her father, The Queen and Philip watched. She was seen standing behind the Queen, broad grins on both their faces. She was a keeper not only of his secrets but those of the family.. Sure enough, the queen reluctantly meets with her husband's companion one-on-one and even invites her to ride with her to church service. Pennys marriage broke down in 2010, after 31 years and three children. Weitere Informationen ber die Verwendung Ihrer personenbezogenen Daten finden Sie in unserer Datenschutzerklrung und unserer Cookie-Richtlinie. GettyLONDON, ENGLAND JUNE 8: Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, smiles after unveiling a plaque at the end of his visit to Richmond Adult Community College in Richmond on June 8, 2015 in London, England. In the Netflix series, "The Crown," Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were the epitome of a perfect, at least for the world. The perfect tummy control bodysuit, a popcorn gadget, more bestsellers starting at $8. That was certainly the case between Prince Philip and Penny Knatchbull. Three weeks after the accident, which Philip blamed on him being blinded by the low winter sun, it was announced he had stopped driving. She also noted that the queen was sufficiently aware and presumably comfortable with her husband's flirtatious tendencies to joke about it. Their relationship was forged through tragedy: Penny Eastwood was the daughter of a very rich meat trader, the founder of the Angus Steakhouse chain, and married Norton Knatchbull, a cousin of Prince Charles and godson of Prince Philip - in 1979 She and the late Queen's husband became particularly close after her five-year-old daughter . She studied in Switzerland and the London School of Economics, according to The Sun. She remained close with the royal family, and was one of only a few mourners at Prince Philip's 2021 funeral, which had limited attendees due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prince Philip and Penny Knatchbull's Friendship Is More Than What's in Shes lost her best friend., The Crowns Princess Diana Debuts Her Revenge Dress, Everything You Need to Know About The Crowns New Season, Imelda Staunton and Jonathan Pryce on Channeling Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, Recreating Princess Dianas Prescient 90s Fashion, The Crown Season 5 Is a Compelling Prelude to Tragedy, What Happened When Fake Charles Met Real Camilla, From the Archive: Dodis Life in the Fast Lane, Discover More Real-Life Royal Scandals With VFs Dynasty Podcast, 2023 Cond Nast. In 2017, Prince Philip retired from public life, joking that he had to stand down as he wouldn't be standing up for much longer (per the Evening Standard). "Philip befriended her when her life began to fall apart. Over the years, Knatchbull has been a guest of the familys at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, appeared with Philip at public events, and been photographed on many an outdoor occasion with the duke. The two bonded over their hobby of carriage riding, a form of competitive horse riding that the prince took up after retiring from polo in 1971, per Ingrid Seward's 2020 book "Prince Philip Revealed.". Nortons relationship to the British royals runs deep, but for starters, he was the grandson of Lord Mountbattenwho viewers of The Crown know was very close to then-Prince Charles. The Crown's Penny Knatchbull star has been in shows from She was previously an editor at HarpersBAZAAR.com. Who Is Penny Knatchbull? Prince Philip's Close Friend Portrayed In 'The A source close to the royal family is slamming Countess Mountbatten's portrayal in "The Crown" as "deliberately cruel" and "unnecessarily unsympathetic." Prince Philip's relationship with aristocrat Penny Knatchbull, which reportedly raised some eyebrows in the 1990s, will get the Netflix treatment. Philip befriended her when her life began to fall apart following the death of her five-year-old daughter, Leonora, from kidney cancer in 1991, wrote Ingrid Seward in 2020s Prince Philip Revealed. Humiliated Putin to miss G20 summit over fears of ASSASSINATION attempt after troops evacuate Kherson, I've been stuck in my living room for 12 months as the council won't find me a new home, I'm at my wit's end, Adin Ross swatted: Dramatic video revealed as swat team arrive at streamers home for the second time in 3 months. Although Her Majestyand probably many of us viewersfirst suspects him of having a romantic affair, Pryce's Philip assures her that his and Lady Penny's relationship is . Of course, incidents like this on the Isle of Wight only fuelled whispers that they may have been more than just good friends. But it was after Pennys five-year-old daughter Leonora died of kidney cancer in 1991 that Philip really began to take her under his wing. According to People, that meeting came in 1974, and she made a good impression from the start. It was only when he feared he would be cut off from the familys 100million fortune that he checked into rehab and kicked his habits. Countess Penny remained close with the queen even after Prince Philip's death, and was even seen attending the the Royal Windsor Horse Show with her in May. Reginald, a one-time butcher, according toThe Telegraph, was the founder of the restaurant chain Aberdeen Steak House in the 1960s, later known as Angus Steak House. After theyd spent a weekend with her, [Penny] said that [Diana] appeared to be auditioning for a role in a costume drama. Restaurant critics from the Telegraph to The Guardian have taken shots at Angus Steak House's reputation. Penny and Norton Knatchbull had three children: Alexandra, Nicholas and Leonora. Sometimes tragedy builds unlikely bonds between people. In 1981, when it was in the hands of Penelope and Norton Knatchbull, Prince Charles and Princess Diana spent the first part of their honeymoon there as well. The relationship between Penny Knatchbull and Prince Philip is causing controversy. Promise. But it was after Pennys five-year-old daughter Leonora died of kidney cancer in 1991 that Philip really began to take her under his wing. She was seen the next year at the Royal Windsor Host Show, which she had so often attended with him, as a guest of the queen. If she had been hurt by rumours of supposed dalliances, she would never let on., Philip himself would simply laugh off any suggestion of impropriety. Inside Prince Philip's 'highly personal' relationship with Penny Knatchbull - the only non-Royal invited to his funeral Kate Jackson Published : 10:36, 10 Nov 2022 Theyre also distantly related by blood: Norton is the grandson of of Philips uncle, Louis Mountbatten. A family friend said: Its very unusual to be given away by someone else at your wedding, even if it is by the Prince of Wales. See new trailer for the highly anticipated season five of The Crown, Queen Elizabeth biography, "Beyond Palace Doors. The Duke of Edinburgh was reportedly smitten by the aristocratic Penny, who, at just 20, was over three decades his junior. Their companionship continued for years, with Lady Penny seen with Prince Philip and the Queen at Sandringham, horse shows, and other royal events. By accepting, she was automatically in the post, but a formal induction ceremony was held in 2011. But Penelope has also taken over some ceremonial duties related to her husband's titles. How Accurate Is Prince Philip & Penny Knatchbull's Relationship In For an example of how ubiquitous Knatchbull's presence in royal events is, just look to Philip's funeral. Per the Hampshire Chronicle, Penelope who is known affectionately as Lady Penny in Romsey pledged loyal service to the community. The Countess Mountbatten of Burma 32 years younger than the late Duke of Edinburgh, who died in April 2021 aged 99 has been a trusted member of the Royal Familys inner circle for years and bonded with Philip through their love of carriage driving. Information about the 4th season of The Crown has leaked out and, according to The Sun, the Netflix series will show Knatchbull and Philip in intimate scenes., This has caused controversy. Penny Knatchbull Had A 'Highly Personal' Relationship With Prince norton knatchbull illness. Who Is Penny Knatchbull? Inside Her Relationship To Prince Philip The full blossoming of friendship between the prince and Knatchbull came in 1991. Prince Philip and Penny riding motorbikes in 2006. Here they are sharing a laugh in 2018: Meanwhile, Seward notes, Well never know how the Queen felt about it all. Before you start side-eying, Penny was also photographed a ton with Queen Elizabeth II. In 2010, according to Tatler, Norton Knatchbull left his wife and his family home of Broadlands to live with his mistress, Lady Nuttall, in the Bahamas. And as usual, the truth is slightly more complicated. Knatchbull married Philips godson, Norton Knatchbull, Lord Romsey, on Oct. 20, 1979. Penelope Knatchbull's constant presence at Prince Philip's side from the 1990s on was almost bound to excite rumors. Read more about Lord Mountbattens death at the hands of the IRA here. Charles served as best man at the wedding and, in the years following, Knatchbull actually befriended Charles before getting to know his father. Her husband Norton, now the 3rd Earl Mountbatten of Burma, fled to the Caribbean to be with fashion designer Eugenie Nuttall. Philip, of course, was the husband of Queen Elizabeth II. To her friends, Penelope Knatchbull is known as Penny. Season 5 of The Crown starts streaming on November 9, 2022, according to Netflix. "This is cruel rubbish," Queen Elizabeth II's former press secretary Dickie Arbiter said of the storyline (per The Sun). Penelope Knatchbull and Prince Philip in 2007. The Crown's fifth season isn't solely focused on Charles and Diana drama. If she had been hurt by rumors of supposed dalliances, she would never let on.. Her husband is Norton Knatchbull, 3rd Earl Mountbatten of Burma . Following Philip's 2021 death, Knatchbull was one of 30 guests invited to the. Getty Apparently, the intimate scenes involve touching hands as he divulges details of his marriage and well actively see them pursuing an affair.. She was dubbed and also because she was so often included in Royal events, according to Express. Her father was Reginald Eastwood, described by the Sun as a butcher-turned-businessman.. By marriage, she's also kin to the royal family. Born Penelope Meredith Mary Knatchbull (are you even a member of English high society if you dont have a million names? Andrew Knight, who was the editor of The Sunday Times, did talk to [Knatchbull and Romsey] and they were just absolutely outraged. But Seward writes that the entire royal family was fond of Penny, not just Charles and Philip. Besides keeping in touch with her old friend, Knatchbull reportedly played a key part in an embarrassing public episode of Philip's retired life. By coincidence, Leonora shared the same birthday as Uncle Dickie. 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Penelope has been so much a part of royal life, household staff have nicknamed her And Also, Penelope has been a trusted member of the Royal Familys inner circle for years and bonded with Philip through their love of carriage-driving, Jonathan Pryce as Prince Phillip and Natascha McElhone as Penny Knatchbull in The Crown, Penny was the only non-family at Philips small, Covid-restricted funeral, except for his personal secretary, Penny and Prince Charles pictured in 1983, The pair mount their motorbikes during the Royal Windsor Horse Show at Home Park, Windsor Castle on May 13, 2005, Philip and Penny at Royal Windsor Horse Show in 2009, Inside Prince Philips highly personal relationship with Penny Knatchbull the only non-Royal invited to his funeral. They were friends, she was married, she lived nearby. Educated in Switzerland, and with a business degree from the London School of Economics, friends describe her as being outgoing, engaged, clever and well-read. THEIR friendship spanned decades and often raised eyebrows. But even before the Big Day, everyone was already spiraling about several plot pointsincluding scenes involving Penny Knatchbull. Thus, its not surprising that Philip and Penny would be close; the Mountbatten family had always figured prominently in Philips life story and his heart. She was the only non-family member at Philips small, Covid-restricted funeral, except for his personal secretary. The relationship between Penny Knatchbull and Prince Philip is causing controversy due to the new season of The Crown., Their friendship will be featured in the fifth season of The Crown on Netflix. Of course, incidents like this on the Isle of Wight only fuelled whispers that they may have been more than just good friends. The Royal Family, in particular The Queen, were full of admiration for Pennys stoicism. But it was after Pennys five-year-old daughter Leonora died of kidney cancer in 1991 that Philip really began to take her under his wing. She never betrayed him. He began inviting her on carriage rides and later taught her carriage driving. Norton and Penny Knatchbull on their wedding day. Penny later became Lady Romsey after she married Prince Philip's . He is a grandson of Lord. Philip helped to popularize the sport in the United Kingdom, and Knatchbull's embrace of it is said to have kept him involved in competitions into his 90s. The 42 Best Romantic Comedies of All Time, The 25 Best Shows on Netflix to Watch Right Now. Her husband Norton Knatchbull is Philip's godson and a grandson of Philip's uncle, Louis Mountbatten (per iNews ). And they were often seen chilling at events: These two were so close, in fact, that Penny was one of only 30 mourners at Philips funeral: And she was also one of the mourners at the Queens funeral: According to reports from The Sun, The Crowns fifth season will showcase Prince Philip in intimate scenes with Penny. Princess Diana did have her own connection to the family though The Crown takes its liberties. Penny returned to the Royal Windsor Horse Show last month without her decades-long comp-anion for the first time. She was godmother to Alexandra Knatchbull, not Leonora, as the show depicts. The Knatchbulls' five-year-old daughter Leonora dies after a 14-month battle with cancer. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. 'The Crown': Who Is Penny Knatchbull, Prince Philip's Friend? Their She looked heartbroken when she arrived. Penelope Knatchbull had a long-term friendship with Prince Philip. And Wales Online noted that she has often been seen at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, as a guest of the family. Ingrid Seward, author of biography Prince Philip Revealed: A Man Of His Century, said: The Queen had enlisted the help of the Countess Mountbatten of Burma, who visited Philip and helped convince him to give up driving.. As a 1975 photo cited by Today shows, Penelope Easton Knatchbull was friendly with the then-prince of Wales, only shortly after her first introduction to the royal family. For Philip, it meant he gained an attractive companion to events such as the Royal Windsor Horse Show and at numerous social gatherings associated with the sport and beyond. The Crown 'to infuriate royals by delving into Prince Philip and Penny Penny, left to manage her and Nortons 5,000-acre Hampshire estate alone, reportedly gathered together all the staff while her estranged husband was mid-flight and told them he had gone but everything else would stay the same. Humiliated Putin to miss G20 summit over fears of ASSASSINATION attempt after troops evacuate Kherson, I've been stuck in my living room for 12 months as the council won't find me a new home, I'm at my wit's end, Cyclist, 20s, in critical condition after horror collision with lorry in Dublin as gardai appeal for witnesses. Shes completely wrong for you, he forgave her.. Philip encouraged her to take up carriage driving and supported her when her husband, Norton, his godson, left her in 2010 for a fling with Nassau-based fashion designer Eugenie Nuttall.. By coincidence, Leonora shared the same birthday as Uncle Dickie. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. And if your response to that sentence is literally whomst, you are not alone!