She was seen standing behind the Queen, broad grins on both their faces. Read more about Lord Mountbattens death at the hands of the IRA here. The signature decor of the restaurants, with atmospheric lighting over red velour banquettes, had an opulent appeal for diners who still retained memory of rationing during World War II. Jonathan Pryce and Natascha McElhone recreate the relationship between Knatchbull and Philip in The Crown.. 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. He trusted her implicitly, and she adored him. The Knatchbulls' five-year-old daughter Leonora dies after a 14-month battle with cancer. The Duke of Edinburgh and Penelope Knatchbull carriage riding in 2007. Penny Knatchbull was known as the confidant and "keeper of secrets" for Prince Philip after meeting him and the Monarch in 1974. Unlike her husband, Penny was the daughter of a. Tragedy befell the family in 1979 when Lord Mountbatten affectionately known by the royals as Uncle Dickie was assassinated by the IRA. He told journalist Jeremy Paxman: Every time I talk to a woman they say Ive been to bed with her. He passed away in April 2021, and this is them hanging in May 2022: Not great! Philip always was a flirt and the Queen used to joke about his lascivious nature. 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. Jeannie, as she is known, is the sister of former Bahamas Attorney General Sean McWeeney. Besides keeping in touch with her old friend, Knatchbull reportedly played a key part in an embarrassing public episode of Philip's retired life. James Hockaday and Elizabeth Atkin Thursday 10 Nov 2022 5:00 pm. They're also distantly related by blood: Norton is the grandson of of Philip's uncle, Louis. 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. Pennys marriage broke down in 2010, after 31 years and three children. She is referred to as Lady Romsey in The Crown, a title she held from 1979 to 2005 before becoming Lady Brabourne from 2005 to 2017 and now the Countess Mountbatten of Burma, according to Today. One source said: He was a tremendous support during a time of unimaginable grief.. The fifth-season story lineabout Philips relationship with his carriage-driving companion, who was more than 30 years youngercaused controversy even before episodes aired. Below are some key moments from their her friendship with the late Duke of Edinburgh through the years. Her death is said to be what drove Penelope into a deeper friendship with Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II, as per Yahoo! By coincidence, Leonora shared the same birthday as Uncle Dickie. Penelope (Penny) Knatchbull, also known as Countess Mountbatten of Burma, who befriended Prince Philip at a polo match in 1975 when she was 20, became one of his closest confidantes despite. Netflix is not interested in peoples feelings. Yikes! 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. Penny later became Lady Romsey after she married Prince Philip's . 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. Philip always was a flirt and the Queen used to joke about his lascivious nature. 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. Penny continued to visit Philip until he died on April 9. She also appeared at Queen Elizabeth IIs funeral in 2022, when the monarch died at age 96. When they did tie the knot, with Prince Charles as best man, they inherited Mountbattens 18th-century, 60-room Broadlands estate near Romsey, Hants, where Charles and Di would spend part of their honeymoon two years later. She was the only non-family member at Philips small, Covid-restricted funeral, except for his personal secretary. There is a 75 percent chance she's listening to Lorde right now. The Sun reported that Knatchbull was born in London, England, on April 16, 1963. 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. 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. Whatever moved Norton to flee Britain and pursue his affair, he seemed to have a change of heart. Here's The Scoop On Her And Their Relationship, Prince Philip Revealed: A Man of His Century. Theyre also distantly related by blood: Norton is the grandson of of Philips uncle, Louis Mountbatten. 57. By coincidence, Leonora shared the same birthday as Uncle Dickie. And sources say that Knatchbull also had a close relationship with Queen Elizabeth. Prince Philip and Penny Knatchbull were friends throughout the Duke of Edinburgh's life and Penny shared his passion for outdoor pursuits and horses. Ingrid says: They were brought together by tragedy but were there for each other through thick and thin. Penelope Meredith Mary Knatchbull - Countess Mountbatten of Burma - is a friend of the British Royal Family who had a particularly close relationship with Prince Philip. 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. Ingrid says: They were brought together by tragedy but were there for each other through thick and thin. Penelope Knatchbull nicknamed Penny is one of the closest friends of the royal family. She is . IE 11 is not supported. The Countess is married to Norton Mountbatten, the grandson of Lord Louis Mountbatten, Prince Philip's beloved uncle who died in an IRA bombing in 1979. RSPCA rescue dog after it's seen being dragged along road by woman on a mobility scooter as witnesses scream in horror. The Crown | Season 5 Official Trailer | Netflix, Inspired by real events, this fictional dramatisation tells the story of Queen Elizabeth II and the political and personal events that shaped her reign. 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. Her husband Norton Knatchbull is Philip's godson and a grandson of Philip's uncle, Louis Mountbatten (per iNews ). She was dating Norton Knatchbull,. Philip taught Penny, who was in a relationship with Lord Romsey, Earl Mountbatten's grandson Norton Knatchbull at the time, carriage driving in 1994 and she went on to become his driving partner. In that time, her father's chain was sold, and it's traded owners over the decades. 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. And often he was accompanied by a neighbor, a woman who was quite a lot younger, who he had taught to carriage drive. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. One source said: He was a tremendous support during a time of unimaginable grief.. 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.. She never betrayed him. Penny was the second-most important woman in the Duke of Edinburghs life a constant confidante, loyal companion and keeper of secrets,' she wrote. 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. 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 Sometimes tragedy builds unlikely bonds between people. 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. 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. What does a purple poppy mean and where can I buy one for Remembrance Day? Months later, in September, she attended the queen's funeral at Westminster Abbey. 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 is a member of the British aristocracy and related by marriage to the royals, including both Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. Broadlands, the Romsey estate the Knatchbulls call home, dates back to before the 11th century and was once part of the local abbey. The closeness between Philip and Penny clearly did not upset the Queen, at least not publicly. 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 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. The Truman Show actress Natascha McElhone plays Penny in The Crown, with veteran actor Jonathan Pryce taking over from Tobias Menzies as Philip. Apparently, the intimate scenes involve touching hands as he divulges details of his marriage and well actively see them pursuing an affair.. She studied in Switzerland and the London School of Economics, according to The Sun. By marriage, she's also kin to the royal family. She looked heartbroken when she arrived at the funeral and she is heartbroken. She was dating Norton Knatchbull at the time. Prince Philip and Penny at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 2007. Knatchbull married Philips godson, Norton Knatchbull, Lord Romsey, on Oct. 20, 1979. The 42 Best Romantic Comedies of All Time, The 25 Best Shows on Netflix to Watch Right Now. Back then, Penny was simply Penelope Eastwood, daughter of Reg Eastwood, a wealthy butcher turned businessman who founded the Angus Steakhouse restaurants. It wasn't the first time in his life the prince faced accusations of infidelity. 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. Meanwhile, Norton was also Prince Philips godson. In the series, Philip befriends Knatchbull in 1991 after her five-year-old daughter, Leonora, dies from cancer. Penny returned to the Royal Windsor Horse Show last month without her decades-long comp-anion for the first time. Alexandra, a financial analyst known as Knatch, chose to marry Thomas Hooper, an entrepreneur, on what would have been her sister Leonoras 30th birthday. Theres already major backlash to this alleged narrative decision, and the Queens former press secretary Dickie Arbiter told The Sun that coming just weeks after the nation laid Her Majesty to rest next to Prince Philip, this is very distasteful and, quite frankly, cruel rubbish. Philip, though, was the right consort for Elizabeth when they married, and they have stayed in love ever since, despite going through various ups and downs throughout their . We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. 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. The event being dubbed the Wedding of the Year with over 900 guests in attendance from almost all of Europes leading families. 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. He trusted her implicitly and she adored him. Penny Knatchbull and Prince Philip. But Penelope has also taken over some ceremonial duties related to her husband's titles. But the highly personal relationship is unlikely to be welcomed as a storyline by Her Majesty or the rest of the royal family.. Where are 'Scream killers' Brian Draper and Torey Adamcik now? One source said: He was a tremendous support during a time of unimaginable grief.. Where Did the 'Perfect Match' Couples End Up? Back then, Penny was simply Penelope Eastwood, daughter of Reg Eastwood, a wealthy butcher turned businessman who founded the Angus Steakhouse restaurants. News, that was the year Knatchbull's daughter Leonora died of cancer. The royal family attended, and Prince Charles, the groom's second cousin, even served as best man. If Philip had been looking down on them, he surely would have been smiling too. According to The Sun, Knatchbull, otherwise known as Countess Mountbatten is married to Norton Knatchbull, the Earl Mountbatten. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. 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. So little wonder the makers of TVs The Crown have delved into the extraordinary relationship between Prince Philip and Penny Knatchbull in the new series of the Netflix drama. When he removed himself to the Bahamas in 2010, he relinquished the job, which largely consists of presiding over local functions in ceremonial dress. Penelope Knatchbull had a long-term friendship with Prince Philip. Philip always was a flirt and the Queen used to joke about his lascivious nature. 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. When asked more broadly about allegations he had affairs, Philip would snap at the press. And Wales Online noted that she has often been seen at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, as a guest of the family. It's also implied in the movie, The Queen but that is also written by Peter Morgan. 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.. She was seen standing behind the Queen, broad grins on both their faces. She is one of 30 mourners present, including immediate family members. Penny was reportedly introduced to the royal family at a polo match when she was 20 years old. 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. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. But author Ingrid said: Well never know how the Queen felt about it all. Philip took the devastated Knatchbull under his wing. Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. Of course, incidents like this on the Isle of Wight only fuelled whispers that they may have been more than just good friends. Ad Choices. To prove that he has nothing to hide, Philip even convinces his wife to befriend Penny (played by Natasha McElhone) herself. The truth is that Penny was a long-time friend of the whole family. He walked Norton's daughter Alexandra Knatchbull down the aisle. However testy that conversation may have gone, Knatchbull remained a visitor to Wood Farm until Philip's death in 2021. Tragedy befell the family in 1979 when Lord Mountbatten affectionately known by the royals as Uncle Dickie was assassinated by the IRA. Penny's friendship with Prince Philip unfolded after her daughter's death, Seward wrote in Prince Philip Revealed, per Today. .css-4xjy6g{display:block;font-family:RundDisplay,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:bold;letter-spacing:0.01em;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-4xjy6g:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-4xjy6g{font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.9375rem;margin-top:1.25rem;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-4xjy6g{font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:1.25rem;margin-top:0.9375rem;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-4xjy6g{font-size:1.625rem;line-height:1.2;}}Harry and Meghan Are OK About Leaving Frogmore, Hailey Has Lost 1M IG Followers Amid TikTok Drama, Kim K Is Asking Friends to Set Her Up With Normals, Harry & Meg Have the "Upper Hand" in Royal Talks, Cardi B Shows Off New Face Tattoo of Son's Name, Save 20% on Bella Hadid's Go-to Skincare Tool, See Kelly Ripa's Insane Bikini Instagram Photo, Get Madelyn's Glazed Vanilla French Manicure, Adam Sandler's Wife Jackie Shuts Down Red Carpet, See Mariska Hargitays Emotional Tribute on IG, Urologist Explains How Penis Size Is Increasing. 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. Also called Uncle Dickie, his real name was Lord Louis Francis Albert Victor Nicholas Mountbatten, or simply Lord Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten. 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. But author Ingrid said: Well never know how the Queen felt about it all. James Crawford-Smith 11/9/2022. The Queen and Philip admired Penny for her indomitable spirit, dignity, and grace and made sure she was included in their lives as much as possibleso much so that Penny acquired the nickname and also as she was frequently a guest at Windsor Castle for the weekends. Penny isnt exactly a super-public figure, but shes been a close friend of the royal family for years. Noting that the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton was then approaching, she said that she would attend, not only as a guest but as a representative of Romsey. Her presence at the funeral among only thirty attendees is exactly what the late Duke would have wanted, and the entire family will be pleased to have her among them on the sombre occasion. . Courtesy of Netflix; Steve Parsons/PA Wire. Wenn Sie Ihre Auswahl anpassen mchten, klicken Sie auf Datenschutzeinstellungen verwalten. Knatchbull was born Penelope Eastwood. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Both Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip reached out to the Knatchbulls after the death of their five year-old daughter . The Independent quoted him as answering one such question with, "Good god, woman! 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. Penelope was invited to take over as High Steward by the town council. RSPCA rescue dog after it's seen being dragged along road by woman on a mobility scooter as witnesses scream in horror, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). Who was Johnny Whited and what happened to Christopher Alvin Dailey. 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 began after Leonoras death: Philip befriended her when her life began to fall apart and encouraged her to take up carriage driving, Seward wrote. She was the only non-family member at Philips small, Covid-restricted funeral, except for his personal secretary. One source said at the time: Not for a moment would Penny allow her husbands departure to interrupt the smooth running of the estate.. Express describes Norton as the son of Philips first cousin. So little wonder the makers of TVs The Crown have delved into the extraordinary relationship between Prince Philip and Penny Knatchbull in the new series of the Netflix drama. Philip and Kirkwood reportedly met on on seven occasions, and while she has always denied they had an intimate relationship, as rumors of "the prince and the showgirl" ran rampant, she had to. Netflix are not interested in peoples feelings.. Countess Penny attends the private funeral service for Prince Philip. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. 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. 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. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. 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. The Truman Show actress Natascha McElhone plays Penny in The Crown, with veteran actor Jonathan Pryce taking over from Tobias Menzies as Philip. It's more than friendship that Penelope Eastwood Knatchbull shared with Prince Philip. Carriage driving remained a cornerstone of their friendship. 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. 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. Im talking about the Countess of Westmorland, the Duchess of Abercorn, clarifies Bedell Smith. Josh OConnor, who played Prince Charles in seasons 3 and 4, refused to reenact the scandalous conversation. That was certainly the case between Prince Philip and Penny Knatchbull. 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. Three weeks after the accident, which Philip blamed on him being blinded by the low winter sun, it was announced he had stopped driving. Per Yahoo! Alexandra was at the time furious with her father for leaving her mother, but of course she still wanted him at the wedding.. 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. In real life as on Netflix, the story of Uncle Dickie was one of the Royal Familys greatest traumas and tragedies as he was, indeed, murdered by the Irish Republican Army at age 79. The queen and prince consort weren't the only royal couple to visit Broadlands. While not among the nobility, the Eastwoods did have a claim to a certain position in British culture. 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. Bedell Smith notes that Knatchbull was not the first woman with whom Philip had a close female friendship that raised eyebrows. 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. Netflix has confirmed that this show is indeed a fictional dramatization, shortly after a public slam from the dame. 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. Its a new decade, and the royal family are facing what may be their biggest challenge yet: proving their continued relevance in 90s Britain. Thats a little ironic given [were talking in reference to The Crown], but she did say that. Seward noted the monarch's affection in her book "Prince Philip Revealed: A Man of His Century," connecting her along with Philip to Knatchbull's presence at royal functions and her nickname "And Also". The truth is that Penny was a long-time friend of the whole family. Penny Knatchbull & Prince Philip Relationship: What Is the Real Story? Mountbatten was a strong influence on the future King Charles III, who dubbed his great-uncle an honorary grandfather, as per Jonathan Dimbleby's "The Prince of Wales: A Biography." 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. She was a keeper not only of his secrets but those of the family.. Speculation generated by The Crown that Knatchbull had an affair with the Duke of Edinburgh is just that; there is no proof of a romantic or sexual entanglement. ", IRA assassinated Philip's grandfather, Lord Mountbatten. Tragedy befell the family in 1979 when Lord Mountbatten affectionately known by the royals as Uncle Dickie was assassinated by the IRA. 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. Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. Her surviving children have their own connections to the royal family. Alexandra, a financial analyst known as Knatch, chose to marry Thomas Hooper, an entrepreneur, on what would have been her sister Leonoras 30th birthday. Penelope Knatchbull was still Penelope Eastwood when she first met the royal family. Nicholas's first child was born in June 2022. The menu and style became stagnant, and the quality of the food has reportedly sank. Prince Philip and Penny Knatchbull to Have "Intimate Scenes" in The Crown Celebrities & Entertainment Celebs The Crown Will Reportedly Feature Prince Philip's Relationship with.