Princess Diana Biographer Paid Photographer To Conceal Princess of Wales' Involvement

This revelation came to light when Princess Diana inadvertently provided Morton with a photograph of herself.

Princess Diana's biographer, Andrew Morton, anticipates that the upcoming series finale of The Crown will reopen emotional wounds surrounding the late Princess of Wales.

Scheduled for release on Netflix, the final installment of Peter Morgan's biopic will delve into the weeks preceding Princess Diana's tragic death and the subsequent fallout within the royal family, as per Mail Online.

The Crown's Emotional Finale, Princess Diana's Legacy

Prince Charles and Princess Diana in Washington
Princess Diana wearing a white evening dress and the Queen Mary tiara at a visit to the British Embassy in Washington with Prince Charles on November 11th, 1985. Hulton Archive/Getty Images

In an interview with Radio Times, Morton, known for his 'unauthorized, authorized biography' of Diana, shared his connection to the events portrayed in the series.

He vividly recalls the day he learned of Princess Diana's death and emphasizes the sensitivity with which The Crown team approached the portrayal of her untimely demise.

The emotional narrative of the first four episodes focuses on the tragic car crash in Paris that claimed Princess Diana's life, alongside her lover Dodi Fayed and their chauffeur Henri Paul.

The series also explores the Royal Family's reaction to the tragedy, providing a nuanced perspective on the events leading up to and following Diana's death. The Crown faces criticism for controversial scenes, including Charles tenderly conversing with an imaginary Diana on the royal plane and her apparition appearing to the Queen.

Series creator Peter Morgan clarifies that the intention is not to depict Diana as a traditional ghost but to showcase her continuing influence on those she left behind.

The filming process challenged the cast, especially in recreating Diana's last days with new love Dodi aboard his father's yacht. The difficulty of the time is portrayed as Charles breaks the news to William and Harry about their mother's death.

Laughter was also shared by the cast during set-piece banquets and other regal events held at Windsor Castle. The final six episodes of the series, which will premiere in December, will delve into the Royal Family's transition beyond Diana's passing.

The storyline proceeds to encompass the burgeoning romance between William and Kate during their time at St Andrew's, culminating in the matrimonial union of Charles and Camilla in April 2005. The decision to end the series at this point is explained as a cutoff to maintain historical rather than journalistic focus.

Dominic West, who plays Prince Charles, shares his admiration for the character and the challenges of portraying him. He emphasizes a compassionate and well-balanced portrayal, detailing how he and Olivia Williams, who plays Camilla, used "trigger phrases" to get into character, according to TDPel Media.

Glimpse Into Princess Diana's Legacy

Imelda Staunton, who plays the Queen, highlights the importance of costumes in capturing the essence of her character. The handmade outfits and meticulous attention to detail contribute to an authentic representation of the royal family's history.

Meanwhile, Princess Diana's biographer reveals a behind-the-scenes story from the time of writing her biography. Andrew Morton shares how he paid off a photographer to keep Princess Diana's involvement a secret.

The photographer, Terence Donovan, had a photograph of Diana that could have exposed her cooperation with the biography. After negotiations, a settlement was reached to maintain Donovan's silence, preserving Diana's ability to navigate her future arrangements with her husband and the royal family.

As The Crown's final season approaches its release, fans eagerly anticipate the culmination of the series, re-creating critical moments in history and offering insights into the lives of the Royal Family.

We are provided with a glimpse into the diligent efforts made to accurately depict the characters and effectively convey the historical narrative. Elizabeth Debicki, the talented actress portraying the iconic role of Diana, opens up about the profound emotional impact of recreating the intense car chase in Paris.

Debicki candidly describes the experience as "completely unbearable," shedding light on the toll it took on her during filming. Netflix has announced that the highly anticipated final series will make its debut on November 16th. Following this, viewers can look forward to the next batch of episodes arriving on December 14th, Telegraph reported.

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