The mere implication that the duo had an affair did not sit well with royal insiders. They were even spotted dancing together at the Royal Yacht Squadron Ball during one Cowes Week. They also shared an enthusiasm for races of another kind: mini motorbikes. He was also shown forging a close relationship with Prince Charles, as mentor and father figure. Pennys marriage broke down in 2010, after 31 years and three children. In 2010, Norton left Penny to be with a Bahamian fashion designer but returned after dumping her. 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. However, despite their estrangement, Penelope and Norton remained legally married. Back then, Penny was simply Penelope Eastwood, daughter of Reg Eastwood, a wealthy butcher turned businessman who founded the Angus Steakhouse restaurants. 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. 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). He trusted her implicitly, and she adored him. 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. 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. 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. Initially, "home" meant a stable block on the estate, but after a few years, it was said that he was allowed back in Broadlands proper. In reality, Knatchbull entered the royal fray in 1979 when she married Prince Charless second cousin Lord Romsey, son and heir of the 2nd Countess Mountbatten of Burma. Her husband Norton, now the 3rd Earl Mountbatten of Burma, fled to the Caribbean to be with fashion designer Eugenie Nuttall. People reported that Penny first met Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth in 1974. Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. In the Netflix series, "The Crown," Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were the epitome of a perfect, at least for the world. Penny returned to the Royal Windsor Horse Show last month without her decades-long comp-anion for the first time. 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. View our online Press Pack. Its absolutely cuckoo.. Philip always had women friends. If Philip had been looking down on them, he surely would have been smiling too. 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.". She did allow Norton back to Broadlands in 2014, not to themarital home, but to a converted barn there. Philip and Penny are said to have first met when she was dating her husband-to-be aged 20. 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. In the years that followed, Knatchbull and Romsey remained close friends with Charleseven offering to speak out in his defense after Andrew Morton published his infamous Princess Diana tell-all, according to Bedell Smith. The 42 Best Romantic Comedies of All Time, The 25 Best Shows on Netflix to Watch Right Now. "The Crown" has exploited these rumors more than once, and previews for its fifth season showed him discussing his marital woes with Knatchbull and showing physical intimacy. 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. 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. All rights reserved. In May last year, tattooed Nicholas, 40, a music producer and gardener, married Ambre Pouzet, a French former fire-eating mermaid performer. 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. Penny later became Lady Romsey after she married Prince Philip's . "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. During the 1990s . Penny and Philip met in 1974 and hit it off immediately despite their 32-year age difference, becoming closer when Pennys daughter sadly died of kidney cancer in 1991. She remained a close companion to Philip for his whole life. More recently, she spends time with Philip at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate and is credited with persuading him to give up his driving license after his 2019 accident. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. Her father, Reginald Eastwood, founded the Angus Steakhouse chain, as Nicholas Davies writes in his 2000 Queen Elizabeth biography, "Beyond Palace Doors.". Alexandra, a financial analyst known as Knatch, chose to marry Thomas Hooper, an entrepreneur, on what would have been her sister Leonoras 30th birthday. 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. By marriage, she's also kin to the royal 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. 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. It isn't only the tabloids that have spread the moniker; Ingrid Seward's biography, "Prince Philip Revealed: A Man of His Century," says that Queen Elizabeth II herself shared Philip's fondness for Knatchbull and was just as keen to have her included. She also appeared at Queen Elizabeth IIs funeral in 2022, when the monarch died at age 96. Shes lost her best friend, Express reported. According to royal biographer Ingrid Seward, Penny and Philip's friendship blossomed after the family tragedy. There was never any question she would leave Broadlands, where every day she visits the tall stone monument, about 100 yards from the house, which stands above her daughter Leonoras grave. Getty28th March 1980: The grandson of Lord Louis Mountbatten, Lord Romsey, with his wife Penelope seated in the Wedgwood Room of Broadlands, once the home of Lord Louis Mountbatten, on the announcement that the 16th-century stately home would reopen to the public on 1st April 1980. But author Ingrid said: Well never know how the Queen felt about it all. Netflix has confirmed that this show is indeed a fictional dramatization, shortly after a public slam from the dame. They were even spotted dancing together at the Royal Yacht Squadron Ball during one Cowes Week. Jeannie, as she is known, is the sister of former Bahamas Attorney General Sean McWeeney. Jeannie, as she is known, is the sister of former Bahamas Attorney General Sean McWeeney. 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. One source said at the time: Not for a moment would Penny allow her husbands departure to interrupt the smooth running of the estate.. 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. "This is cruel rubbish," Queen Elizabeth II's former press secretary Dickie Arbiter said of the storyline (per The Sun). A TV insider last year said: The highly personal relationship is unlikely to be welcomed as a storyline by the Queen or the rest of the Royal Family.. If Philip had been looking down on them, he surely would have been smiling too. Knatchbull lost her 5-year-old daughter Leonora to kidney cancer in 1991; The New York Post reports that The Crown argues this tragedy brought her closer to Philip. 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.. Ingrid says: They were brought together by tragedy but were there for each other through thick and thin. Penny is seen joining the Queen and Prince Philip at a church service at Sandringham circa 2012. Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. And so it was the same kind of thing. Prince Philip and Penny Knatchbull were friends throughout the Duke of Edinburgh's life and Penny shared his passion for outdoor pursuits and horses. Im talking about the Countess of Westmorland, the Duchess of Abercorn, clarifies Bedell Smith. The Duke of Edinburgh and Penelope Knatchbull carriage riding in 2007. News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. She was known as Lady Romsey between 1979 and 2005; The Lady Brabourne between 2005 and 2017; and now Countess Mountbatten of Burma. 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. They were photographed smiling as they watched from their seats. Josh OConnor, who played Prince Charles in seasons 3 and 4, refused to reenact the scandalous conversation. Her husband Norton Knatchbull is Philip's godson and a grandson of Philip's uncle, Louis Mountbatten (per iNews). Knatchbull split her youth between Great Britain and Switzerland. Who was Johnny Whited and what happened to Christopher Alvin Dailey. Ingrid says: They were brought together by tragedy but were there for each other through thick and thin. The couple revisited the estate in 2007 and recreated one of the photos from that time for their 60th wedding anniversary. Here they are sharing a laugh in 2018: Meanwhile, Seward notes, Well never know how the Queen felt about it all. Penny continued to visit Philip until he died on April 9. If Philip had been looking down on them, he surely would have been smiling too. In the series, Philip befriends Knatchbull in 1991 after her five-year-old daughter, Leonora, dies from cancer. 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. 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. Pennys marriage broke down in 2010, after 31 years and three children. 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. Netflix are not interested in peoples feelings.. Tragedy befell the family in 1979 when Lord Mountbatten affectionately known by the royals as Uncle Dickie was assassinated by the IRA. The tabloids haven't left Charles and Penelope alone in the years since the wedding. She and the duke also both shared a boisterous sense of humour, according to Ingrid. And as usual, the truth is slightly more complicated. In the first episode of season 4, Lord Mountbatten was blown up on a fishing boat by the Irish Republican Army (the IRA). She never betrayed him. 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. Restaurant critics from the Telegraph to The Guardian have taken shots at Angus Steak House's reputation. The queen and prince consort weren't the only royal couple to visit Broadlands. The earlier season of the popular show showed that Mountbatten was especially close to Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. The menu and style became stagnant, and the quality of the food has reportedly sank. The Daily Mail published photos of Norton and Nuttall strolling through Nassau after the split. 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. She was seen standing behind the Queen, broad grins on both their faces. Penny Knatchbull & Prince Philip Relationship: What Is the Real Story? She did say at one point that they had a very close friendship, but it had everything to do with ideas, recalls Bedell Smith. Questions hovered over their friendship in the press, with some speculating more was going on. 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 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. Norton is also the grandson of Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, Philip's uncle, notes Newsweek. 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 simply an intellectual and spiritual companionship, nothing more. ago. Andrew Knight, who was the editor of The Sunday Times, did talk to [Knatchbull and Romsey] and they were just absolutely outraged. Following Philip's 2021 death, Knatchbull was one of 30 guests invited to the. Either way, the Queen and Penny remained close even after Philips death. 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 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. 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. 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. Penelope Knatchbull, known as Penny, is the Countess Mountbatten of Burma, and she met the royal family at a polo match in 1975 when she was 20 years old. 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 . 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. 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. 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 The Truman Show actress Natascha McElhone plays Penny in The Crown, with veteran actor Jonathan Pryce taking over from Tobias Menzies as Philip. For other inquiries Contact Us. The queen was said to have "been impressed" with Knatchbull when Penny's future husband, Norton, introduced them in 1975 (per Daily Express ). Philip, of course, was the husband of Queen Elizabeth II. The wedding took place two months after the IRA assassinated Philip's grandfather, Lord Mountbatten, and younger brother, Nicholas. So What Was Penny's IRL Relationship With Philip? THEIR friendship spanned decades and often raised eyebrows. Also called Uncle Dickie, his real name was Lord Louis Francis Albert Victor Nicholas Mountbatten, or simply Lord Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten. 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. 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. Norton Knatchbull was a cousin of the then-prince and a good friend; they both attended Gordonstoun boarding school (per Jonathan Dimbley's "The Prince of Wales: A Biography"). 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. A TV insider last year said: The highly personal relationship is unlikely to be welcomed as a storyline by the Queen or the rest of the Royal Family.. Sometimes tragedy builds unlikely bonds between people. She even stayed close through the Duke of Edinburgh's final days. Leonora, sadly, did not survive to adulthood. This tragedy occurred in real life. News. Penny isnt exactly a super-public figure, but shes been a close friend of the royal family for years. Pamela Hicks said that she was very aware that Prince Phillip liked to flirt and she didnt mind, says Bedell Smith. Alexandra, a financial analyst known as Knatch, chose to marry Thomas Hooper, an entrepreneur, on what would have been her sister Leonoras 30th birthday. .and she is heartbroken, aides told Express. 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. She also noted that the queen was sufficiently aware and presumably comfortable with her husband's flirtatious tendencies to joke about it. 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. Penelope Knatchbull was still Penelope Eastwood when she first met the royal family. She also appeared at. She did allow Norton back to Broadlands in 2014, not to themarital home, but to a converted barn there. 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 and Philip met in 1974 and hit it off immediately despite their 32-year age difference, becoming closer when Penny's daughter. 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. Queen Elizabeth II's thoughts and feelings on nearly everything were opaque. "Philip befriended her when her life began to fall apart. 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. 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. Alexandra was at the time furious with her father for leaving her mother, but of course she still wanted him at the wedding.. Attn: everyone wondering if she *really* had an affair with Prince Philip. The truth is that Penny was a long-time friend of the whole family. She was only 5 years old. In happier times, she could be seen on the balcony of Buckingham Palace alongside the royal family, waving at the crowds and taking in the trooping of the color (per the Irish Times). 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. And sources say that Knatchbull also had a close relationship with Queen Elizabeth. One source said at the time: Not for a moment would Penny allow her husbands departure to interrupt the smooth running of the estate.. Although she mostly grew up in Sweden, Penny was incredibly close to the royals thanks to her marriage to Norton Louis Philip Knatchbull. Season 5 of The Crown starts streaming on November 9, 2022, according to Netflix. Of course, incidents like this on the Isle of Wight only fuelled whispers that they may have been more than just good friends. A TV insider last year said: The highly personal relationship is unlikely to be welcomed as a storyline by the Queen or the rest of the Royal Family.. IE 11 is not supported. 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. Only a handful of locations remain open, and the chain's future was in serious doubt as of 2021. Alexandra, a financial analyst known as Knatch, chose to marry Thomas Hooper, an entrepreneur, on what would have been her sister Leonoras 30th birthday. Months later, in September, she attended the queen's funeral at Westminster Abbey. THEIR friendship spanned decades and often raised eyebrows. Here they are driving around Windsor together in 2019: Royal expert Ingrid Seward writes in The Sun that Pennys marriage hit rock bottom at the time and she was left to maintain their family home: Running royal properties was something Philip knew full well, and having bonded with her over horses and carriage driving, their friendship blossomed further. A source told The Sun in 2021 that 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. A mitigating factor in any hard feelings Penelope might have held toward her husband may be the state of his health. Philip's biographer Ingrid Seward told The Sun that she dispatched Knatchbull to carry out the difficult task of convincing him to surrender his driver's license. But there's no evidence of it. Prince Philip and Penny at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 2007. Express describes Norton as the son of Philips first cousin. .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! Knatchbull married Philips godson, Norton Knatchbull, Lord Romsey, on Oct. 20, 1979. What does a purple poppy mean and where can I buy one for Remembrance Day? Have you ever stopped to think that for years, I have never moved anywhere without a policeman accompanying me? In that time, her father's chain was sold, and it's traded owners over the decades. The Knatchbulls' five-year-old daughter Leonora dies after a 14-month battle with cancer. In the movie, Philip and the Queen are discussing Charles ongoing affair with Camila. Penelope Knatchbull and Prince Philip in 2007. Knatchbull was a friend to all the royal family, not just Philip, and insinuating otherwise so soon after the queen's death was, in Arbiter's eyes, poor taste. She and the duke also both shared a boisterous sense of humour, according to Ingrid. The Full Lyrics to Look at Us Now (Honeycomb), Inside Riley Keoughs 'Daisy Jones' Transformation, Tracy Oliver on That Harlem Season 2 Finale, Aminah Nieves on Those Shocking 1923 Scenes. Wales Online reported that Norton Knatchbull suffers from Alzheimer's disease and has had to delegate titles and management of his estates to Penelope as he declines. 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". Philip always was a flirt, and the Queen used to joke about his lascivious nature. She studied in Switzerland and the London School of Economics, according to The Sun. Lady Penny and Prince Philip did become dear friends and bond over riding carriages. 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 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. Its absolutely cuckoo.. Leonora Romsey with Princess Diana on the balcony At Buckingham Palace For Trooping The Color on June 15, 1991. Penny Knatchbull is a member of the British aristocracy and related by marriage to the royals, including both Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. Charles, Philip's oldest son who is now the British sovereign, was Norton Knatchbull's best man in their wedding. She was diagnosed with cancer and died at age 5. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. 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. She knew it was absolutely nothing., Though Philip and Knatchbull never had a romantic relationship, their friendship was undoubtedly close. Tragedy befell the family in 1979 when Lord Mountbatten affectionately known by the royals as Uncle Dickie was assassinated by the IRA. She has also been known as Lady Romsey and Lady Brabourne, as well as the High Steward of Romsey. However, The Crown gets the timeline of Philip and Knatchbulls friendship right, according to Sewards book. I read that Matt Smith played the part of Phillip with the idea in mind that he was cheating on Elizabeth. 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. 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. The Royal Family, in particular The Queen, were full of admiration for Pennys stoicism. See new trailer for the highly anticipated season five of The Crown, Queen Elizabeth biography, "Beyond Palace Doors. She was dubbed and also because she was so often included in Royal events, according to Express. 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. 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 Sun reported that Knatchbull was born in London, England, on April 16, 1963. He trusted her implicitly and she adored him. The queen and Knatchbull at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 2018.
