THEIR friendship spanned decades and often raised eyebrows. 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. Penelope Knatchbull had a long-term friendship with Prince Philip. Her husband Norton Knatchbull is Philip's godson and a grandson of Philip's uncle, Louis Mountbatten (per iNews ). His drug issues made his family question his future, but the Mail's story also claimed that he had kicked his habits and worked to repair his relationship with his father. By coincidence, Leonora shared the same birthday as Uncle Dickie. She has also been known as Lady Romsey and Lady Brabourne, as well as the High Steward of Romsey. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Charles was the best man when Penelope and Norton married. Penelope Knatchbull and Prince Philip in 2007. Knatchbull married Philip's godson, Norton Knatchbull, Lord Romsey, on Oct. 20, 1979. One source said: He was a tremendous support during a time of unimaginable grief.. And if your response to that sentence is literally whomst, you are not alone! But author Ingrid said: Well never know how the Queen felt about it all. If Philip had been looking down on them, he surely would have been smiling too. Soon after the Knatchbulls were married, Penny became a fixture in royal circles, attending all the prime royal events and weddings. The Royal Family, in particular The Queen, were full of admiration for Pennys stoicism. 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. Knatchbull married Philips godson, Norton Knatchbull, Lord Romsey, on Oct. 20, 1979. Below are some key moments from their her friendship with the late Duke of Edinburgh through the years. Either way, the Queen and Penny remained close even after Philips death. Penny returned to the Royal Windsor Horse Show last month without her decades-long comp-anion for the first time. Besides keeping in touch with her old friend, Knatchbull reportedly played a key part in an embarrassing public episode of Philip's retired life. Humiliated Putin to miss G20 summit over fears of ASSASSINATION attempt after troops evacuate Kherson, I've been stuck in my living room for 12 months as the council won't find me a new home, I'm at my wit's end, Adin Ross swatted: Dramatic video revealed as swat team arrive at streamers home for the second time in 3 months. Penny is seen joining the Queen and Prince Philip at a church service at Sandringham circa 2012. Penelope was invited to take over as High Steward by the town council. Penelope (Penny) Knatchbull, also known as Countess Mountbatten of Burma, who befriended Prince Philip at a polo match in 1975 when she was 20, became one of his closest confidantes despite. As a 1975 photo cited by Today shows, Penelope Easton Knatchbull was friendly with the then-prince of Wales, only shortly after her first introduction to the royal family. She was dating Norton Knatchbull,. Restaurant critics from the Telegraph to The Guardian have taken shots at Angus Steak House's reputation. Philip also encouraged Knatchbull who also goes by the name Penny Romsey to take up the sport, according to Seward, who also wrote that Philip got his son Edwards wife, Sophie, into it as well; Sophie and her daughter, Lady Louise Windsor, both compete. Penny returned to the Royal Windsor Horse Show last month without her decades-long comp-anion for the first time. What does a purple poppy mean and where can I buy one for Remembrance Day? Philip always was a flirt and the Queen used to joke about his lascivious nature. 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. The new season of the Netflix series will cover Princess Dianas infamous Panorama interview, the Windsor Castle fire, and much more. 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. The tabloids haven't left Charles and Penelope alone in the years since the wedding. Shes lost her best friend, Express reported. 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. 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 never betrayed him. 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. Getty20th October 1979: The grandson of Lord Louis Mountbatten, Lord Romsey, marries Penelope Eastwood at Romsey Abbey. The revelations that have leaked from Prince Harrys memoir, Palace Insiders Say Prince William Is Already Furious About Prince Harrys Memoir Leaks, Prince Harry alleges Prince William attacked him over Meghan Markle in a new excerpt from. They were photographed smiling as they watched from their seats. Ingrid says: They were brought together by tragedy but were there for each other through thick and thin. But author Ingrid said: Well never know how the Queen felt about it all. Philip encouraged her to take up carriage driving and supported her when her husband, Norton, his godson, left her in 2010 for a fling with Nassau-based fashion designer Eugenie Nuttall.. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Penelope has been so much a part of royal life, household staff have nicknamed her And Also, Penelope has been a trusted member of the Royal Familys inner circle for years and bonded with Philip through their love of carriage-driving, Jonathan Pryce as Prince Phillip and Natascha McElhone as Penny Knatchbull in The Crown, Penny was the only non-family at Philips small, Covid-restricted funeral, except for his personal secretary, Penny and Prince Charles pictured in 1983, The pair mount their motorbikes during the Royal Windsor Horse Show at Home Park, Windsor Castle on May 13, 2005, Philip and Penny at Royal Windsor Horse Show in 2009, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). She was the only non-family member at Philips small, Covid-restricted funeral, except for his personal secretary. Wenn Sie Ihre Auswahl anpassen mchten, klicken Sie auf Datenschutzeinstellungen verwalten. Season Five of The Crown explores Prince Philips companionship, as his character says in the show, with Penny Knatchbull, the Countess Mountbatten of Burma. Penelope Knatchbull (ne Eastwood) is the wife of Norton Knatchbull, the grandson of Earl Mountbatten ( The Crown watchers know him as Uncle Dickie) and Prince Philip's own godson. By marriage, she's also kin to the royal family. 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. Penny was the second-most important woman in the Duke of Edinburghs life a constant confidante, loyal companion and keeper of secrets,' she wrote. 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. Over the years, Knatchbull has been a guest of the familys at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, appeared with Philip at public events, and been photographed on many an outdoor occasion with the duke. Her husband Norton, now the 3rd Earl Mountbatten of Burma, fled to the Caribbean to be with fashion designer Eugenie Nuttall. 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. 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. Princess Diana seeks revenge, Princess Margaret reunites with an old flame, and many more juicy subplots await in the Netflix seriess most scandal-rich season yet. 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.. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Alexandra was at the time furious with her father for leaving her mother, but of course she still wanted him at the wedding.. Klicken Sie auf Alle ablehnen, wenn Sie nicht mchten, dass wir und unsere Partner Cookies und personenbezogene Daten fr diese zustzlichen Zwecke verwenden. She was dubbed and also because she was so often included in Royal events, according to Express. Jeannie, as she is known, is the sister of former Bahamas Attorney General Sean McWeeney. IE 11 is not supported. Reginald, a one-time butcher, according toThe Telegraph, was the founder of the restaurant chain Aberdeen Steak House in the 1960s, later known as Angus Steak House. Philip and Penny, who is 32 years younger than the late Duke of Edinburgh, are said to have first met in 1975 when she became engaged to Norton Knatchbull. They share a love of carriage driving in the show, and Philip confides that he and the Queen have grown in separate directions, a portrayal hotly disputed by people close to the former Monarch, The Post reported. 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. People reported that Penny first met Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth in 1974. Though the relationship between Philip and Knatchbull, who is over 30 years his junior, never crosses into the physically romantic realm on The Crown, the episode insinuates that both found a kind of emotional fulfillment in their friendship that they were not getting from their own marriages. They're also distantly related by blood: Norton is the grandson of of Philip's uncle, Louis. While Penny Knatchbull, now 69, has not addressed the portrayal herself, a close friend reportedly told The Telegraph before the new season aired, "This is indeed an ill-judged, unnecessarily. ago. The couple revisited the estate in 2007 and recreated one of the photos from that time for their 60th wedding anniversary. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. ", IRA assassinated Philip's grandfather, Lord Mountbatten. Her superpower is matching people up with the perfect book, which she does on her podcast, Blind Date With a Book. Ingrid Seward, author of biography Prince Philip Revealed: A Man Of His Century, said: The Queen had enlisted the help of the Countess Mountbatten of Burma, who visited Philip and helped convince him to give up driving.. Apparently, the intimate scenes involve touching hands as he divulges details of his marriage and well actively see them pursuing an affair.. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we love. And as usual, the truth is slightly more complicated. 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. Alexandra, a financial analyst known as Knatch, chose to marry Thomas Hooper, an entrepreneur, on what would have been her sister Leonoras 30th birthday. If Philip had been looking down on them, he surely would have been smiling too. But Charles very specifically told his friends not to come forward in his defense, recalls Bedell Smith. To her friends, Penelope Knatchbull is known as Penny. Philip helped to popularize the sport in the United Kingdom, and Knatchbull's embrace of it is said to have kept him involved in competitions into his 90s. 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 . Back then, Penny was simply Penelope Eastwood, daughter of Reg Eastwood, a wealthy butcher turned businessman who founded the Angus Steakhouse restaurants. 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. Charles served as best man at the wedding and, in the years following, Knatchbull actually befriended Charles before getting to know his father. 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. 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 . 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. Inside Prince Philip's 'highly personal' relationship with Penny Knatchbull - the only non-Royal invited to his funeral Kate Jackson Published : 10:36, 10 Nov 2022 Ingrid says: They were brought together by tragedy but were there for each other through thick and thin. And one more thing connects the couple to the royal family: their house. The Truman Show actress Natascha McElhone plays Penny in The Crown, with veteran actor Jonathan Pryce taking over from Tobias Menzies as Philip. Only a handful of locations remain open, and the chain's future was in serious doubt as of 2021. 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. In the movie, Philip and the Queen are discussing Charles ongoing affair with Camila. Tatler reports that King Charles III is godfather to the Knatchbull's oldest, Nicholas, and that he gave Alexandra away at her wedding to Thomas Hooper in 2016 (Norton was said to be too ill). 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. Noting that the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton was then approaching, she said that she would attend, not only as a guest but as a representative of Romsey. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. . "Philip always was a flirt," his biographer Ingrid Seward told The Sun. Indeed, Philip taught Penny the sport of carriage driving, and she was spotted attending the Royal Windsor Horse show with Queen Elizabeth II, People reported. He told journalist Jeremy Paxman: Every time I talk to a woman they say Ive been to bed with her. Carriage driving remained a cornerstone of their friendship. Vanity Fair may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. She looked heartbroken when she arrived at the funeral and she is heartbroken. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. And often he was accompanied by a neighbor, a woman who was quite a lot younger, who he had taught to carriage drive. Jonathan Pryce, who plays Prince Philip, said hes hugely disappointed by fellow artistes who have called for the Netflix series to get a disclaimer. 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 she is heartbroken, aides told Express. The Crown creator Peter Morgan has long been fascinated by the 73-year marriage between Queen Elizabeth and her husband, Prince Philip, devoting story lines in the series first four seasons to the unique power dynamicdramatizing, for example, Philips struggle sacrificing his naval career to support his wife just five years into their marriage, when she suddenly became queen. Erica Gonzales is the Senior Culture Editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage on TV, movies, music, books, and more. And so it was the same kind of thing. One source said at the time: Not for a moment would Penny allow her husbands departure to interrupt the smooth running of the estate.. Penny was introduced to Philip at age 20 while dating husband-to-be Norton Knatchbull, Philip's godson and grandson of the duke's uncle Lord Mountbatten. News, that was the year Knatchbull's daughter Leonora died of cancer. She did allow Norton back to Broadlands in 2014, not to themarital home, but to a converted barn there. Bei der Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps verwenden wir, unsere Websites und Apps fr Sie bereitzustellen, Nutzer zu authentifizieren, Sicherheitsmanahmen anzuwenden und Spam und Missbrauch zu verhindern, und, Ihre Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps zu messen, personalisierte Werbung und Inhalte auf der Grundlage von Interessenprofilen anzuzeigen, die Effektivitt von personalisierten Anzeigen und Inhalten zu messen, sowie, unsere Produkte und Dienstleistungen zu entwickeln und zu verbessern. And Wales Online noted that she has often been seen at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, as a guest of the family. Princess Diana did have her own connection to the family though The Crown takes its liberties. Philip and Penny are said to have first met when she was dating her husband-to-be aged 20. Natascha McElhone as Penny Knatchbull. Thats a little ironic given [were talking in reference to The Crown], but she did say that. But Seward writes that the entire royal family was fond of Penny, not just Charles and Philip. They were even spotted dancing together at the Royal Yacht Squadron Ball during one Cowes Week. 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. To revist this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. Pennys marriage broke down in 2010, after 31 years and three children. Netflix are not interested in peoples feelings., While Penny Knatchbull, now 69, has not addressed the portrayal herself, a close friend reportedly told The Telegraph before the new season aired, This is indeed an ill-judged, unnecessarily unsympathetic, and unfortunate decision.. Nortons relationship to the British royals runs deep, but for starters, he was the grandson of Lord Mountbattenwho viewers of The Crown know was very close to then-Prince Charles. She also appeared at. News. Ingrid says: They were brought together by tragedy but were there for each other through thick and thin. Alexandra was at the time furious with her father for leaving her mother, but of course she still wanted him at the wedding.. Countess Penny attends the private funeral service for Prince Philip. 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. Though Philip and Knatchbull never had a romantic relationship, their friendship was undoubtedly close. According to Seward, Knatchbull was close to both Elizabeth and Philip, and is a friend to their son, now-King Charles III. Courtesy of Netflix; Steve Parsons/PA Wire. 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. Its interesting, though slightly tangential, but after he retired to Wood Farm where he continued his carriage driving, he would go out every morning at nine. She did allow Norton back to Broadlands in 2014, not to themarital home, but to a converted barn there. Andrew Knight, who was the editor of The Sunday Times, did talk to [Knatchbull and Romsey] and they were just absolutely outraged. But the highly personal relationship is unlikely to be welcomed as a storyline by Her Majesty or the rest of the royal family.. Penny continued to visit Philip until he died on April 9. Three years later, she married Norton Knatchbull, Lord Romsey at Romsey Abbey in Hampshire, andPrince Charles served as best man at their wedding. He is a grandson of Lord. Penny continued to visit Philip until he died on April 9. The Royal Family, in particular The Queen, were full of admiration for Pennys stoicism. Penelope Knatchbull nicknamed Penny is one of the closest friends of the royal family. James Crawford-Smith 11/9/2022. Unlike her husband, Penny was the daughter of a. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. According to royal biographer Ingrid Seward, Penny and Philip's friendship blossomed after the family tragedy. She was diagnosed with cancer and died at age 5. She never betrayed him. Ingrid Seward, author of biography Prince Philip Revealed: A Man Of His Century, said: The Queen had enlisted the help of the Countess Mountbatten of Burma, who visited Philip and helped convince him to give up driving.. One source said: He was a tremendous support during a time of unimaginable grief.. 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. 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Penelope has been so much a part of royal life, household staff have nicknamed her And Also, Penelope has been a trusted member of the Royal Familys inner circle for years and bonded with Philip through their love of carriage-driving, Jonathan Pryce as Prince Phillip and Natascha McElhone as Penny Knatchbull in The Crown, Penny was the only non-family at Philips small, Covid-restricted funeral, except for his personal secretary, Penny and Prince Charles pictured in 1983, The pair mount their motorbikes during the Royal Windsor Horse Show at Home Park, Windsor Castle on May 13, 2005, Philip and Penny at Royal Windsor Horse Show in 2009, Inside Prince Philips highly personal relationship with Penny Knatchbull the only non-Royal invited to his funeral.