The scene has been blasted as ‘distasteful’ (Picture: Netflix)
Netflix’s The Crown is currently at the centre of backlash after reports claim Prince Philip will ‘pursue an affair’ in the upcoming season.
The fifth chapter of the period drama is expected to have a time jump, as audiences are transported to the early 1990s in Buckingham Palace, with Imelda Staunton taking over from Olivia Colman as Queen Elizabeth II.
Game of Thrones star Jonathan Pryce is taking over from Tobias Menzies as Prince Philip and Lesley Manville is replacing Helena Bonham-Carter as Princess Margaret.
It’s expected that the series will now flash forward at least two to three years, with 1992 being the year that Charles and Diana officially announced their split.
According to reports, intimate scenes showing the late Duke of Edinburgh and close friend Countess Mountbatten of Burma Penelope Knatchbull (Natascha McElhone) ‘touching hands’ as Philip discusses his marriage woes.
Dickie Arbiter, who was Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s spokesman from 1988 to 2000, slammed the scene and branded it ‘distasteful.’
The scene will apparently show Prince Philip confiding in Countess Mountbatten of Burma (Picture: Netflix)
The late monarch died last month (Picture: Getty)
Queen Elizabeth II died peacefully at Balmoral on Thursday, September 8. Following her death, the BBC and ITV revised their schedules to air special programming and news coverage in the lead-up to the state funeral, which commences today.
‘Coming just weeks after the nation laid Her Majesty to rest next to Prince Philip, this is very distasteful and, quite frankly, cruel rubbish,’ Arbiter told The Sun.
The Crown recently put out a casting call for a young star to play Prince Harry in season six.
‘It is a significant role in this award-winning drama and we are looking for a strong physical resemblance… Shooting will commence November 2022 in the UK,’ an advert posted online reads.
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It continued: ‘No previous professional acting experience is required.
‘We are very experienced in providing a great deal of support for the young actors and their families through what they find is a uniquely rewarding creating process.’
It was recently reported that The Crown have cast three new stars to play Prince William and Kate Middleton.
More: Trending
According to Deadline, Ed McVey will portray William in his later teen and early adult years, while a university-age Kate Middleton will be portrayed by Meg Bellamy.
Metro.co.uk has reached out to Netflix for comment.
Season one to four of The Crown is available to stream on Netflix and season five premieres on November 9.
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MORE : The Crown desperately seeking young star to play Prince Harry in season 6
The Crown season 5 drops on Netflix next month.
