Prince Charles’ pal Joanna Lumley says she won’t watch ‘The Crown’: ‘I find it all ghastly’

close

Video

Fox News Flash top entertainment headlines for March 22

Fox News Flash top entertainment and celebrity headlines are here. Check out what's clicking today in entertainment.

Prince Charles’ pal Joanna Lumley will never watch "The Crown."

The hit Netflix series traces the nearly 70-year reign of Charles’ mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

While the historical drama has been much dissected since its 2016 premiere for its dramatic interpretations of the British royal family, the current fourth season has sparked the most debates and headlines.

Set in the ‘80s, the series now focuses on the widely publicized marriage of Charles and Princess Diana, as well as the 11-year tenure of Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, which transformed and divided Britain.

‘THE CROWN’ IS ‘A TRAVESTY’ BASED ON INACCURACIES, SAYS ROYAL EXPERT: ‘THE FABRICATION IS QUITE UNBELIEVABLE’

Josh O’Connor and Emma Corrin star as Prince Charles and Princess Diana in 'The Crown.' (Netflix)

Diana passed away in 1997 at age 36 from injuries she sustained in a Paris car crash. Thatcher died in 2013 at age 87.

Lumley, who currently appeared on the Chopper’s Politics podcast for The Telegraph, was asked if she has streamed the series or if she would ever make a guest appearance. The actress quickly said "no."

"No, I didn’t watch it," the 74-year-old said, as quoted by U.K.'s The DailyMail on Tuesday. "Lots of people love it and lots of people know it’s mostly made up, but lots of people don’t know it’s made up which is awful."

"I find it all ghastly," she added.

PRINCE HARRY REVEALS WHAT HE THINKS OF NETFLIX’S ‘THE CROWN’: ‘IT’S LOOSELY BASED ON THE TRUTH’

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales greets actress Joanna Lumley as he hosts a reception to mark the 60th anniversary of the charity 'Samaritans', at Clarence House on May 1, 2013, in London. (Photo by Arthur Edwards - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

According to the outlet, the "Absolutely Fabulous" star and the Prince of Wales have been friends for years. She’s an ambassador for The Prince’s Trust, a youth charity that helps young people who are struggling to find jobs.

She also attended the 72-year-old’s 2005 wedding to Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

"Well, some people say ‘Oh everybody knows it’s made up’ – they don’t, they think it’s the truth," Lumley explained. "I couldn’t watch it because I feel if you don’t disagree with something you don’t watch it and go ‘oooh I hate that.’ Just don’t watch it."

Former royal press secretary Dickie Arbiter previously called "The Crown" a "hatchet job" on Charles and Diana. Arbiter has also accused the series of "stretching dramatic license to the extreme," The Hollywood Reporter shared.

NETFLIX'S 'THE CROWN' REJECTS BID TO ADD A DISCLAIMER CALLING IT A WORK OF FICTION

Set in the ‘80s, 'The Crown' now focuses on the widely publicized marriage of Charles and Princess Diana, as well as the 11-year tenure of Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, which transformed and divided Britain. (Netflix)

Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, has also said the show should carry a notice that "this isn’t true but it is based around some real events."

"I worry people do think that this is gospel and that’s unfair," the 56-year-old told broadcaster ITV.

Netflix has since rejected calls from British Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden to add a disclaimer to the series that states it is a work of fiction. The streaming giant said the show is presented in enough context.

"We have always presented 'The Crown' as a drama — and we have every confidence our members understand it’s a work of fiction that’s broadly based on historical events," according to a statement released by Netflix.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Olivia Colman stars as Queen Elizabeth II in 'The Crown.' (Netflix)

"As a result, we have no plans — and see no need — to add a disclaimer."

"The Crown" creator Peter Morgan, whose work also includes recent-history dramas "The Queen" and "Frost/Nixon," has defended his work, saying it is thoroughly researched and true in spirit.

In a 2017 discussion of "The Crown," Morgan said, "you sometimes have to forsake accuracy, but you must never forsake truth."

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER

Steven Fielding, a professor of political history at the University of Nottingham, said the suggestion that "The Crown" carry a disclaimer was "reasonable and yet pointless."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.