For an entire generation of Americans, Prince Philip was a blank slate. “People had some sense that he was this older gentleman next to Elizabeth, but really no specific idea of who he is or who he was,” said Arianne Chernock, an associate professor of history at Boston University.
But arguably also helping to spark interest in royalty among younger Americans, is “The Crown.”
’99 and out, but what an innings. And what style. Thanks for your service, old fellow – it won’t be the same without you, ”said the Emmy-nominated actor.
“The Crown” highlights the difficult adjustments the young couple faced when Elizabeth became queen earlier than expected in their marriage. It also shows how, in an era of chauvinism and sexism, Philip’s need to queue up behind his wife was put to the test.
“The Prince Consort role is really challenging and those who have taken on that role have had very few precedents to study and little sense of the concrete job description leading up to the position,” Chernock said.
And although through modern eyes, many Americans have now formed some image of Prince Philip thanks to “The Crown”.
Mary McClelland, a fan of the show who lives in Chicago, said her opinion of the Queen’s husband was neutral before watching the Netflix series.
“I don’t think he’s the best dad in the world. I think he did the best he could with what he could do at the time and in the society he lived in and the generation he’s in,” McClelland told CNN, who spoke before Philip’s death. . “But I don’t necessarily blame him for who he is.”
While many Americans may not have had a solid impression of Prince Philip, his reputation in Britain has evolved over the decades.
“He actually has a rather mischievous personality. And in Britain he is certainly known for some sort of missteps,” Chernock said in a CNN interview conducted before Philip’s death. “So his sense of humor and his fun can sometimes get him into trouble.”
“I think the show has come a long way to make it a little human, to show the man behind the crown,” said Debra Birnbaum, former editor-in-chief at Variety, before Philip’s death. “There is a more layered perspective of who the man is … in a positive or negative sense.”
Tobias Menzies, who played an older Philip in later seasons of the show, quoted Shakespeare as paying tribute to the late royal family.
For some avid fans, every episode of “The Crown” has led to a trip to the Internet to learn more about the people involved, including Prince Philip.
“It made me do more research on him and every aspect of the show,” said McClelland, a communications director for a nonprofit. “How intense and insane his upbringing was was just fascinating to me. I mean, if he was a modern man I would say, ‘Get therapy right away!'”
But, she added, “You know, the royals today seem to revere and love him. And so whatever the dynamic, his grandchildren, every time they talk about him and in articles, it’s just that. he’s a legend. ”
Birnbaum said Peter Morgan, the show’s creator and writer, had worked hard to keep “The Crown” based on reality.
“You will never know what two people said to each other in a private conversation, but you will know the facts of it,” Birnbaum said. “The conversation may have been thought of, but [Prince Philip] lost his favorite sister in a plane crash and then became a pilot. That appeals to a very interesting kind of person. ”
Prince Philip was also instrumental in modernizing the monarchy – something that was highlighted in the show. “His commitment to technology, advocating for example filming the family or trying to update systems at Buckingham Palace,” was part of that, Chernock said. “And he’s certainly a sounding board for Elizabeth and he stayed the course.”
In fact, after all these years together, Elizabeth’s success may well be due to the man she married. The man that so many Americans knew so little about before ‘The Crown’.
Why is Elizabeth successful? She’s successful because she’s been truly unshakable, ”Chernock said. “I think Philip has a lot to do with that.”
CNN’s Eoin McSweeney contributed to this report.