The relationship between the First Lord Mountbatten and Philip featured prominently in a previous season of The Crown.. February 27, 2023 . / norton knatchbull illness. The event being dubbed the Wedding of the Year with over 900 guests in attendance from almost all of Europes leading families. That bit of matchmaking didn't work out, but Mountbatten was also supportive of Penelope's entering the family, according to Newsweek. The Royal Family, in particular The Queen, were full of admiration for Pennys stoicism. Besides keeping in touch with her old friend, Knatchbull reportedly played a key part in an embarrassing public episode of Philip's retired life. She also noted that the queen was sufficiently aware and presumably comfortable with her husband's flirtatious tendencies to joke about it. View our online Press Pack. She did allow Norton back to Broadlands in 2014, not to themarital home, but to a converted barn there. The two bonded when Prince Philip took Knatchbull under his wing and offered support following the death of her 5-year-old daughter, Leonora, to kidney cancer in 1991, according to People. Previously, she covered culture at Refinery29 and Oprah Daily. Leonora Romsey with Princess Diana on the balcony At Buckingham Palace For Trooping The Color on June 15, 1991. She was dating Norton Knatchbull,. 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. According to Prince Philip's biographer, the royal befriended the countess when "her life began to fall apart.". 57. In the series, Philip befriends Knatchbull in 1991 after her five-year-old daughter, Leonora, dies from cancer. Its a new decade, and the royal family are facing what may be their biggest challenge yet: proving their continued relevance in 90s Britain. She was godmother to Alexandra Knatchbull, not Leonora, as the show depicts. Though the relationship between Philip and Knatchbull, who is over 30 years his junior, never crosses into the physically romantic realm on The Crown, the episode insinuates that both found a kind of emotional fulfillment in their friendship that they were not getting from their own marriages. While driving around sprawling country estates, Philip liked to discuss religion and other deep, worldly matters., Seward also said that they were brought together by tragedy but were there for each other through thick and thin. Penny returned to the Royal Windsor Horse Show last month without her decades-long comp-anion for the first time. Philip always had women friends. She later became the second-most important woman in the Duke of Edinburghs life a constant confidante, loyal companion and keeper of secrets,'" Seward wrote. The perfect tummy control bodysuit, a popcorn gadget, more bestsellers starting at $8. But author Ingrid said: Well never know how the Queen felt about it all. According to The Sun, Knatchbull, otherwise known as Countess Mountbatten is married to Norton Knatchbull, the Earl Mountbatten. Getty28th March 1980: Lord and Lady Romsey in the grounds of Broadland, showing the house in the background. Both Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip reached out to the Knatchbulls after the death of their five year-old daughter . What does a purple poppy mean and where can I buy one for Remembrance Day? She was pictured attending the Royal Windsor Horse Show with him several times over the years and it was in the 1990s that Penny and Prince Philip's bond is understood to have become incredibly close. 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. Penny continued to visit Philip until he died on April 9. Norton, who is also known as Lord Romsey, inherited the ceremonial office of High Steward of Romsey in 1979,according to the Daily Echo, along with the Broadlands estate outside the town center. Knatchbull split her youth between Great Britain and Switzerland. She was the only non-family member at Philips small, Covid-restricted funeral, except for his personal secretary. Coming just weeks after the nation laid Her Majesty to rest next to Prince Philip, this is very distasteful and, quite frankly, cruel rubbish, Dickie Arbiter, the queen's former press secretary, told The Sun. She was a keeper not only of his secrets but those of the family., Meanwhile, back in 2021, The Sun reported that Penny had 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.. 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. Penny was introduced to Philip at age 20 while dating husband-to-be Norton Knatchbull, Philips godson and grandson of the dukes uncle Lord Mountbatten. The newlyweds inherited Mountbatten's home of Broadlands in Hampshire.freveale. News. The royal family attended, and Prince Charles, the groom's second cousin, even served as best man. 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. Penelope and Norton Knatchbull have had three children together (per Tatler): Nicholas, Alexandra, and Leonora. 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. Either way, the Queen and Penny remained close even after Philips death. Romsey told Knight that Diana would talk to Charles like a fish wife and that she was very abusive to him.. Although Prince Philip was 32 years Knatchbull's senior, she soon became known as Prince Philip's "keeper of secrets" in British tabloids. But there's no evidence of it. 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. Per the Hampshire Chronicle, Penelope who is known affectionately as Lady Penny in Romsey pledged loyal service to the community. The Duke of Edinburgh was reportedly smitten by the aristocratic Penny, who, at just 20, was over three decades his junior. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. She was 32 years younger than the Duke of Edinburgh. 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. She was seen standing behind the Queen, broad grins on both their faces. Ingrid says: They were brought together by tragedy but were there for each other through thick and thin. The Crown dramatizes the optics of Philips public friendship with a woman many years his junior. An insider explained, "This is a relationship which naturally raised a few eyebrows and sparked quite a few whispers, but Philip and Penny maintained they were just friends. One source said: He was a tremendous support during a time of unimaginable grief.. Bedell Smith notes that Knatchbull was not the first woman with whom Philip had a close female friendship that raised eyebrows. Tragedy befell the family in 1979 when Lord Mountbatten affectionately known by the royals as Uncle Dickie was assassinated by the IRA. 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. If she had been hurt by rumors of supposed dalliances, she would never let on.. She was dubbed and also because she was so often included in Royal events, according to Express. Netflix has confirmed that this show is indeed a fictional dramatization, shortly after a public slam from the dame. 690 comment s 1 video Here they are together at Nortons christening: On top of all that, Norton is also Prince Charless second cousinand Charles was actually the best man at Norton and Pennys wedding: Anyway, Penny became close to the royals in part through her husband and was often seen hanging with Prince Charles: But she became particularly tight with Nortons godfather Prince Philip thanks to their shared love for carriage driving. 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. Months later, in September, she attended the queen's funeral at Westminster Abbey. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. In a conversation with Sally Bedell Smith, who wrote best-selling biographies of Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth, the author noted that Knatchbull became so close to Charles that she and her husband were among the few friends who tried to persuade him not to marry Diana. 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). The 42 Best Romantic Comedies of All Time, The 25 Best Shows on Netflix to Watch Right Now. 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. As for Prince Philip (Jonathan Pryce), he develops a close friendship with family friend Penny Knatchbull while experiencing his own marital troubles with the queen. 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 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). And now, in the series fifth season, the first installment to air after Prince Philips and Queen Elizabeths deaths, Morgan returns to this fascination in the episode The System, exploring the idea of spouses growing apart (or, as The Crowns Philip says, growing in separate directions), and introducing the close real-life friendship between Philip (Jonathan Pryce) and his carriage-driving partner Lady Penny Knatchbull, Countess Mountbatten of Burma (Natascha McElhone). Pennys marriage broke down in 2010, after 31 years and three children. Vanity Fair may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Back then, Penny was simply Penelope Eastwood, daughter of Reg Eastwood, a wealthy butcher turned businessman who founded the Angus Steakhouse restaurants. .css-tjvzc4{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;border-bottom:thin solid #6F6F6F;}.css-tjvzc4:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}The Crowns fifth season has *officially* dropped! And one more thing connects the couple to the royal family: their house. Philip, of course, was the husband of Queen Elizabeth II. "This is cruel rubbish," Queen Elizabeth II's former press secretary Dickie Arbiter said of the storyline (per The Sun). She was dating Norton Knatchbull at the time. Queen Elizabeth and Penny chat at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 2001. Penny Knatchbull Was Prince Phillip's Best Friend. As for Knatchbull, biographers, employees, friends, and even the tabloids observed that the queen seemed to regard her as a friend just as Philip did. 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. Three years later, she married Norton Knatchbull, Lord Romsey at Romsey Abbey in Hampshire, andPrince Charles served as best man at their wedding. Philip always was a flirt and the Queen used to joke about his lascivious nature. 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. In 1979, five years after first meeting Philip and Queen Elizabeth II, Penelope Eastwood became Penelope Knatchbull when she married Norton Knatchbull, Philip's godson and King Charles III's second cousin, according toHarper's Bazaar. Pennys marriage broke down in 2010, after 31 years and three children. Broadlands, the Romsey estate the Knatchbulls call home, dates back to before the 11th century and was once part of the local abbey. Of course, incidents like this on the Isle of Wight only fuelled whispers that they may have been more than just good friends. Unlike her husband, Penny was the daughter of a. According to Seward, Knatchbull was part of the difficult conversation following Philips car accident about giving up driving. Penelope was invited to take over as High Steward by the town council. And one more thing connects the couple to the royal family: their house. Everything You Need to Know About Penny Knatchbull, Turns Out Charles and Camilla Met Through His Ex, Harry and Meghan Are OK About Leaving Frogmore, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. Apparently, the intimate scenes involve touching hands as he divulges details of his marriage and well actively see them pursuing an affair.. She did allow Norton back to Broadlands in 2014, not to themarital home, but to a converted barn there. Penelope Knatchbull's titles have changed over the years. Devastated by this horror, Penny and Norton decided to postpone their wedding for two months. Josh OConnor, who played Prince Charles in seasons 3 and 4, refused to reenact the scandalous conversation. It was the first season of the series to be released following both the death of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh on 9 April 2021 and the death of Queen Elizabeth II on 8 September 2022.. Imelda Staunton stars as Elizabeth, along with main cast members Jonathan . Penny Knatchbull & Prince Philip Relationship: What Is the Real Story? 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. By marriage, she's also kin to the royal family. Shes completely wrong for you, he forgave her.. She became such a close confidant of his that she was often referred to his And Alsowhen listing his guests for an event, he would conclude with and also Penny.. Penny was the second-most important woman in the Duke of Edinburghs life a constant confidante, loyal companion and keeper of secrets,' she wrote. But the two have continued to have a presence in each other's lives. She never betrayed him. But Penelope has also taken over some ceremonial duties related to her husband's titles. According to The Sun, Penelope Knatchbull remained one of the few non-relatives to regularly see the prince after his retirement. 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. 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. All rights reserved. By coincidence, Leonora shared the same birthday as Uncle Dickie. 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. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, 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, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). By coincidence, Leonora shared the same birthday as Uncle Dickie. Penelope Knatchbull (ne Eastwood) is the wife of Norton Knatchbull, the grandson of Earl Mountbatten ( The Crown watchers know him as Uncle Dickie) and Prince Philip's own godson. 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. He trusted her implicitly and she adored him. 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.. The upcoming fifth season of Netflix's hit . Shes lost her best friend, Express reported. The Express claimed that the queen was impressed by how Knatchbull handled the death of her daughter Leonora and her fortitude in the face of her husband Norton's well-publicized affair. The British actor also appeared in The Truman Show, Solaris and The Other Boleyn Girl.. After the young Leonoras 1991 death, Charles was consolingand his father also drew closer to Knatchbull. She was a keeper not only of his secrets but those of the family.. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. Who was Johnny Whited and what happened to Christopher Alvin Dailey. Penny isnt exactly a super-public figure, but shes been a close friend of the royal family for years. According to Newsweek, Penelope Knatchbull is the only daughter of Reginald and Marian Eastwood. In May last year, tattooed Nicholas, 40, a music producer and gardener, married Ambre Pouzet, a French former fire-eating mermaid performer. Penelope Knatchbull's constant presence at Prince Philip's side from the 1990s on was almost bound to excite rumors. Charles was the best man when Penelope and Norton married. 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. Alexandra was at the time furious with her father for leaving her mother, but of course she still wanted him at the wedding.. 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. She was one of the only people apart from family members who he saw at Wood Farm, the five-bedroom home on the Sandringham estate where he spent most of his time after he retired from royal duties in 2017. For other inquiries Contact Us. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. A mitigating factor in any hard feelings Penelope might have held toward her husband may be the state of his health. 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.