Season 5 of The Crown puts the spotlight on Prince Philip and his close relationship with Penny Knatchbull, a woman who is more than 30 years younger than him. While the show seems to hint at rumors of an affair between the two, the reality may not be as messy as it's portrayed to be.
First things first: who exactly is Penny, and what's her connection to the royal family?
Born Penelope Meredith Mary Eastwood, Penny is the daughter of Reginald Eastwood, who founded restaurant chain Angus Steakhouse, and Marian Hood. Her involvement with the royal family began when she married Norton Knatchbull, the Earl Mountbatten of Burma, thus making her the Countess Mountbatten of Burma. Norton also happens to be the second cousin of King Charles, who served as the best man at their wedding, and the godson of Prince Philip.
Together, Penny and Norton had three children: Nicholas, Alexandra, and Leonora. The Crown depicts the aftermath of the death of their youngest daughter, Leonora, who passed away at five years old after a battle with kidney cancer. In the midst of her grief, Philip (played by Jonathan Pryce) reached out to Penny (Natascha McElhone) and the two struck up a close friendship that has endured over the years.
NetflixJonathan Pryce and Natascha McElhone as Prince Philip and Penny Knatchbull.
While the Netflix series suggests romantic undertones to Philip and Penny's relationship (though, ultimately, the show itself allows the audience to interpret their dynamic as they see fit), there isn't much real-life evidence to support rumors of an affair between the two. In fact, Philip wasn't the only royal that Penny was close to. She has close and public bonds with many members of the family—not least of all her friendship with Queen Elizabeth.
Ahead, we break down the timeline of Philip and Penny's friendship, from the duo bonding over carriage driving to Penny being one of 30 guests at Philip's funeral.
1970s: She meets Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip for the first time.
Penny's first encounter with the queen and Philip occurred during her engagement to Norton. She reportedly met the Duke of Edinburgh during a polo match.
Tim Graham//Getty ImagesThen Prince Charles and Penny Knatchbull in the ’70s.
October 20, 1979: Penny and Norton marry.
The couple officially wed in a lavish ceremony held at Romsey Abbey, a church located in Hampshire, England. Dubbed the 'wedding of the year' at the time, the event was attended by over 900 guests. The then Prince Charles served as Norton's best man.
Central Press//Getty Images
1980s: The couple welcomed three children.
Their first child, a son named Nicholas Louis Charles Norton Knatchbull, was born on May 15, 1981. They later welcomed their second child, a girl they named Alexandra Victoria Edwina Diana Knatchbull, on born December 5, 1982. Finally, the couple welcomed their third child, Leonora Louise Marie Elizabeth Knatchbull, on June 25, 1986.
Ian Tyas//Getty ImagesNorton and Penny Knatchbull.
October 22, 1991: Leonora dies.
The youngest of the Knatchbull children died at five years old after a battle with kidney cancer.
1994: The Leonora Children's Cancer Fund is launched.
In memory of their daughter, the Knatchbulls founded the Leonora Children's Cancer Fund. Prince Philip supported the fund, reportedly attending a reception and dinner for the organization in May of that year.
1990s: Penny and Philip become closer as she participates in carriage driving competitions with him.
The duo developed a close friendship after bonding over their passion for carriage driving, a competitive equestrian sport that Philip helped popularize.
It was reportedly during this time that Penny earned the nickname "And Also" amongst palace staff, since Philip would often list guests for an event and end with, "and also Penny."
Tim Graham//Getty ImagesPenny and Philip during a carriage driving competition in 2006.
She also became a frequent fixture at the annual Royal Windsor Horse Show, where she has been photographed alongside Philip, the queen, and other members of the royal family.
Max Mumby/Indigo//Getty ImagesPhilip and Penny walk together at the 2009 Royal Windsor Horse Show.
Mark Cuthbert//Getty ImagesPenny laughs with Queen Elizabeth at the 2018 Royal Windsor Horse Show.
2010: Norton leaves Penny for Lady Nuttall.
At the time, tabloids reported that Norton had moved to the Bahamas to pursue a relationship with Lady Eugenie Nuttall, a London-based designer. However, Norton later ended the affair and came home. Though Penny accepted him back, Norton reportedly slept in a converted barn on their estate instead of returning to life in their Palladian mansion.
In his absence, Penny had taken up the ceremonial roles and duties that Norton had been responsible for, becoming the High Steward of Romsey and patron of Romsey Agricultural and Horse Show Society.
A source told the Daily Mail that the royal family—and especially Queen Elizabeth—admired Penny's aplomb in the face of the scandal. Despite Norton's being a biological relative of the royals, the insider said the queen and Philip "can’t really forgive him for what he did to Penny."
October 2020: A new biography refers to Penny as Philip's "keeper of secrets."
In Prince Philip Revealed, biographer Ingrid Seward paints an intimate portrait of the duo's friendship over the years.
According to Seward, Penny was the "second-most important woman in the Duke of Edinburgh's life — a constant confidante, loyal companion and 'keeper of secrets.'"
Despite rumors of an affair, Seward recalled a touching scene during a ball in which the longtime friends unabashedly displayed their affection for each other. "When I saw Philip and Penny gilding around the dance floor at the Royal Yacht Squadron Ball during Cowes Week, neither of them gave a damn who saw them or what anyone might say," Seward wrote, per Express. "I noticed that Philip, an excellent dancer, was completely in rhythm with the beautiful Penny. He’s undoubtedly close to her and is a supportive friend and mentor."
April 17, 2021: Penny is one of 30 guests attending Prince Philip's funeral.
After Philip's death on April 9, 2021, Penny was one of the few people invited to attend his funeral, which was kept to a low capacity due to COVID-19 public health regulations.
"She looked heartbroken when she arrived at the funeral and she is heartbroken," sources told the Express at the time. "She's lost her best friend."
The outlet additionally reported that Penny attended the funeral as a stand-in for her husband, who was unwell and therefore unable to attend at the time.
Max Mumby/Indigo//Getty Images
2021-2022: Penny's bond with the queen continues in the year after Philip's death.
Penny accompanied the monarch to the 2021 Royal Windsor Horse Show, months after the death of the Duke of Edinburgh.
Max Mumby/Indigo//Getty ImagesPenny stands behind the queen during the 2021 Royal Windsor Horse Show.
Max Mumby/Indigo//Getty ImagesQueen Elizabeth flanked by Penny and Prince Edward during the 2021 Royal Windsor Horse Show.
2022: Penny attends the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth.
The countess was also amongst the many mourners at the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth, who passed away on September 8, 2022.
Peter Byrne - PA Images//Getty Images
As an associate editor at HarpersBAZAAR.com, Chelsey keeps a finger on the pulse on all things celeb news. She also writes on social movements, connecting with activists leading the fight on workers' rights, climate justice, and more. Offline, she’s probably spending too much time on TikTok, rewatching Emma (the 2020 version, of course), or buying yet another corset.
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