. . . AND THAT LETTER PROVING THEY WERE BOTH UNFAITHFUL? ANOTHER LIE

SAYS ROYAL EXPERT HUGO VICKERS

CENTRAL to The Crown’s depiction of Commander Mike Parker, private secretary to the young Prince Philip, is the letter hinting at louche behaviour.

The drama suggests that the incriminating note, which refers to ‘whores’, was written by Parker from aboard The Royal Yacht, Britannia.

It is supposedly read aloud to Philip’s friends by society photographer Baron and is even shown to the Queen before Parker’s wife, Eileen, instructs her lawyer to institute divorce proceedings on the grounds of his infidelity.

None of this was true, however. There was no letter. Nor could it have been read aloud by Baron (full name Stirling Henry Nahum) since he died on September 5, 1956. Prince Philip and Commander Parker did not leave aboard Britannia until October 15.

The Queen did not visit Mrs Parker at her home. Mrs Parker did not instigate divorce proceedings at that time, and only wanted to separate.

She might have wished to end the marriage but she did not want her husband to have to resign his post as Prince Philip’s private secretary.

She also did not want news of the separation to break while the trip was ongoing.

According to the real life Mrs Parker, both the Queen and Philip asked Parker to stay on. As it happens he remained with Prince Philip until late in 1957.