Who plays Penny Knatchbull in The Crown?
THE Crown is making a return to Netflix, this time focusing on the Royal Family in the late 80s and 90s.
The historical drama is set to introduce a host of new characters including Prince Philip’s close companion, The Countess Mountbatten of Burma, Penelope “Penny” Knatchbull.
Who plays Penny Knatchbull in The Crown?
Born on December 19, 1969, in Surrey, actress Natascha McElhone takes on the role Penny Knatchbull in The Crown season 5.
The actress is known for The Truman Show, Californication, and also the 2022 BritBox series Hotel Portofino.
Natascha plays Dr Catherine Halsey in 2022 TV series Halo.
She is now joining The Crown‘s star-studded cast, which includes Imelda Staunton taking over as Queen Elizabeth II and Elizabeth Delbicki as Princess Diana.
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It’s thought most of McElhone’s scenes will be opposite Jonathan Pryce who will replace Tobias Menzies as the Duke of Edinburgh in series 5.
Natascha married plastic surgeon Martin Hirigoyen Kelly in May 1998, but he tragically died in 2008, just a few months before their third son was born.
The couple share Theodore (born 2000), Otis (born 2003), and Rex, who was born in October 2008.
What are the main storylines about Penny Knatchball?
Penny’s story has the potential to be one of the most tantalising plots in the next series of The Crown due to her close friendship with Prince Philip.
Penny has been a trusted member of the Royal Family‘s inner circle for decades.
She was introduced to the royals through her husband, Norton Knatchbull, the Earl of Mountbatten of Burma.
Avid-fans of The Crown will remember that Louis Mountbatten, Norton’s grandfather or “Uncle Dickie” as he was affectionally known by the royals, was assassinated on his fishing boat off County Sligo in Ireland.
He was killed along with Norton’s 14-year-old brother Nicholas and his grandmother, Lady Brabourne as seen in series 4.
The devastating loss shook the family, but led Penny and her husband to inherit Lord Mountbatten’s entire 18th-century estate, Broadlands and Penny received the prestigious title of Countess Mountbatten of Burma.
After her marriage, Penny was a staple at royal events.
As a 20-year-old Penny was “outgoing, engaged, clever” a friend disclosed, when she met Prince Philip for the first time who was three decades her senior.
Yet, it wasn’t until the tragic death of her youngest daughter, Lenora, that Penny’s life-long friendship with Prince Philip began.
As a dedicated friend, the Duke of Edinburgh supported Penny through her grief and even introduced her to his much-loved sport of carriage driving.
Despite their age difference, Prince Philip and Penny became firm friends.
At events, Prince Philip and the Queen would always add “and also Penny” to every guest list.
Ingrid Seward, the royal biographer, described Penny as the “second most important woman” in Prince Philip’s life after the Queen.
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She added that the duo shared a “boisterous sense of humour.”
Penny developed a very close long-standing relationship with the Queen as well as Prince Philip through her time with them at events, Broadlands and Sandringham.