How Prince Philip’s on-screen hypothesis that the first born royal is the ‘boring dependable one’

The new series of The Crown has left royal fans questioning how much is fact – and how much is simply TV fiction. 

One moment that appears to ring true is a the idea that the House of Windsor has always produced siblings that balance each other out – with the ‘dull, dependable one’ providing stability against the ‘dazzling, dangerous other’. 

The theory is recalled by Prince Philip (Tobias Menzies), who says he first heard it from Tommy Lascelles, the Private Secretary to both King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II. 

‘There have always been the dazzling Windsors and the dull ones,’ he explains in a conversation with his wife the Queen. ‘But alongside that dull, dutiful, reliable, heroic strait runs another. The dazzling, the brilliant, the individualistic – and the dangerous. 

‘For every Edward VII you get a Queen Victoria (his mother), for every Lissbet (Elizabeth) you get a Margaret’. 

And the theory could apply to the royal siblings that followed, with Prince William, 37, the sensible, proper brother, while Prince Harry, 35, was always seen as the charismatic party lover who wore his heart on his sleeve.

Elsewhere Prince George is, 6, is the more quiet and withdrawn sibling, while Princess Charlotte, 4, appears much more at ease in the spotlight, often waving and poking her tongue out at onlookers.

Prince George and Princess Charlotte 

In season three, episode two of The Crown, Prince Philip shares his theory on there being a ‘dazzling, dangerous Windsor for every dull and dependable one’. Prince George, the future king born to Prince William and Kate Middleton, has always appeared the more quiet royal of his generation

Charlotte excels in the spotlight - notably doing a famous spin on the steps of the Lindo wing when Louis was born - seen here sticking her tongue out at the sailing regatta in August

Charlotte excels in the spotlight – notably doing a famous spin on the steps of the Lindo wing when Louis was born – seen here sticking her tongue out at the sailing regatta in August

Prince George, the future king born to Prince William and Kate Middleton, has always appeared the more quiet royal of his generation, while Charlotte excels in the spotlight – notably doing a famous spin on the steps of the Lindo wing when Louis was born.

And these characteristics, according to The Crown’s theory, are just what makes the House of Windsor work so well, with royal siblings balancing each other out over the decades.

According to recent reports, George is already showing signs of becoming an ‘excellent leader’, while Princess Charlotte is a confident young royal. 

An insider at Us magazine reports that Charlotte is ‘loves attention’, while George is said to be more reserved but is ‘coming out of his shell’.

Prince William and Prince Harry 

Prince William, who is second in line to the throne, has always been seen as the sensible, formal brother. He is seen on a recent royal engagement

Prince William, who is second in line to the throne, has always been seen as the sensible, formal brother. He is seen on a recent royal engagement

Prince Harry is seen as the charismatic, emotional and cheeky brother. Harry was known for his years of heavy partying in his early twenties, tussles with paparazzi, and was even forced to apologise in 2008 after he was pictured naked in Las Vegas playing strip poker.

Prince Harry is seen as the charismatic, emotional and cheeky brother. Harry was known for his years of heavy partying in his early twenties, tussles with paparazzi, and was even forced to apologise in 2008 after he was pictured naked in Las Vegas playing strip poker.

Prince William, who is second in line to the throne, has always been seen as the sensible, formal brother, while Prince Harry is seen as the charismatic, emotional and cheeky brother.

Harry was known for his years of heavy partying in his early twenties, tussles with paparazzi, and was even forced to apologise in 2008 after he was pictured naked in Las Vegas playing strip poker.  

While William, who is seen as reliable and poker-faced, is preparing for a future as king, Harry has thrown himself into various charities, and is not afraid to speak out to defend his family. 

Speaking about their differences recently, Harry told ITV of his relationship with his brother: ‘As brothers, you have your good days and your bad days.

‘But look, we’re brothers, we’ll always be brothers — and we’re certainly on different paths at the moment.

‘But I’ll certainly always be there for him as I know he’ll always be there for me.

‘We don’t see each other as much as we used to because we’re so busy.

‘But I love him dearly and the majority of the stuff is created out of nothing’.

Prince Charles and Princess Anne 

Prince Charles, 71, was often described as the quieter sibling growing up, portrayed as lonely and bullied at boarding school with his father Philip's tough love approach making him cry

Prince Charles, 71, was often described as the quieter sibling growing up, portrayed as lonely and bullied at boarding school with his father Philip’s tough love approach making him cry

Princess Anne, now 69, was described as outgoing and was portrayed as a confident extrovert, who would push back' when Philip was short with her

Princess Anne, now 69, was described as outgoing and was portrayed as a confident extrovert, who would push back’ when Philip was short with her

Prince Charles, 71, who is first in line to the throne, has so far been spared being monarch, with his mother, Queen Elizabeth, the longest reigning royal to date at 63 years service. 

The royal has often been referred to as the more quiet sibling growing up, while Princess Anne, now 69, was described as outgoing. 

In his 1992 authorised biography by Jonathan Dimbleby, he was portrayed as a ‘wilted, lonely boy’ who preferred his own company and was ‘cowed by the forceful personality of his father’, whose cutting words ‘easily drew tears’.

While Philip’s tough love approach reportedly caused the young prince to ‘retreat farther into his shell’, Princess Anne, was portrayed as a confident extrovert, who would push back’.

Even The Crown hints at Charles’ tough days at boarding school where he was bullied by others, while Princess Anne is portrayed as a smoking, rebellious teen with a love for short skirts.

The Queen and Princess Margaret 

The Queen, 93, and Princess Margaret, who died aged 71 in 2002, have been described as polar opposites in The Crown. The monarch, who has reigned for over six decades, is described by Prince Philip as dull, dutiful, reliable, heroic in the series (seen in 1985)

The Queen, 93, and Princess Margaret, who died aged 71 in 2002, have been described as polar opposites in The Crown. The monarch, who has reigned for over six decades, is described by Prince Philip as dull, dutiful, reliable, heroic in the series (seen in 1985)

Princess Margaret, who died aged 71 in 2002, was famous for her love of drinking, smoking and partying (seen in 1980 at the Evening Standard Drama Awards)

Princess Margaret, who died aged 71 in 2002, was famous for her love of drinking, smoking and partying (seen in 1980 at the Evening Standard Drama Awards)

The Queen, 93, and Princess Margaret, who died aged 71 in 2002, have been described as polar opposites in The Crown. 

The monarch, who has reigned for over six decades, is described by Prince Philip as dull, dutiful, reliable, heroic in the series, while he refers to Margaret as the  dazzling, the brilliant, the individualistic – and the dangerous.

Referring to Margaret’s success on meeting President Johnson at the White House in 1965, where they got drunk together and she secured a loan for debt-ridden Britain, Philip’s character concedes that she excels in the spotlight, but could never do the Queen’s job. 

Margaret’s apparent spite at being born second is a theme throughout the show, and in reality the Princess was famous for her love of drinking, smoking and partying.

Margaret reportedly loved whisky, and chef Gordon Ramsay once said after a visit to his restaurant: ‘She started with Scotch and went on drinking for three hours. The ashtray had to be changed every three minutes. I find it hard to believe that she could have tasted the pudding.’ 

While the Queen is famously diplomatic, noble and unflappable, reports have claimed that Margaret could be very direct. 

In 2003 the Telegraph reported that on meeting Princess of Monaco Grace Kelly, she snipped: ‘Well, you don’t look like a movie star.’

And according to another report, one incident saw Margaret seated by the Sixties supermodel, Twiggy, who was completely ignored by her for two hours. 

Finally, when the Princess turned to her and asked: ‘And who are you?’ Twiggy replied: ‘I’m Lesley Hornby, Ma’am, but people call me Twiggy.’ Margaret responded: ‘How unfortunate,’ and turned her back. 

In episode three of the hit show, which sees Prince Philip, played by Tobias Menzies, recalling a theory by Tommy Lascelles, the Private Secretary to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II

In episode three of the hit show, which sees Prince Philip, played by Tobias Menzies, recalling a theory by Tommy Lascelles, the Private Secretary to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II

 

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