The Crown is accused of ‘reinforcing negative stereotypes’ about public schools with its unflattering portrayal of Charles, William and Harry’s education
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The Crown is facing new criticism, this time for “reinforcing negative stereotypes” about public schools.
Julie Robinson, chief executive of the Independent Schools Council, said the portrayal of them in the Netflix series is “frustrating” and is affecting public perception.
It showed an unflattering portrayal of William and Harry’s school days at £50,000 a year Eton in Windsor.
King Charles has also proven unhappy at Gordonstoun in Scotland. In season two, he is seen shivering in bed as rain pours through a dorm room window and soaks his sheets.
“It’s frustrating for us because there’s a big stereotype about independent schools and it’s symbolically very effective,” Ms Robinson told the Girls’ Schools Association’s annual conference in the Cotswolds last week.
Netflix showed an unflattering portrayal of William and Harry’s school days at £50,000 a year Eton in Windsor
The Crown has faced many controversies, including initially not placing a disclaimer at the beginning of each episode, despite many scenes being pure dramatizations rather than based on fact.
King Charles has also proven unhappy at Gordonstoun in Scotland
‘I continue to be amazed at how powerful the stereotype is.
‘The reality is that we are a small sector with a few wealthy and very strong world-renowned schools that are a great export for Britain and good for business.
“It’s hard to get that message out when people are watching The Crown again and thinking about certain schools, and that’s what we’re against, what people imagine independent schools to be.”
The Crown has faced many controversies, including initially not placing a disclaimer at the beginning of each episode, despite many scenes being pure dramatizations rather than based on fact.
Others have accused it of presenting “an inaccurate and hurtful account of history.”
An Ipsos poll shows that 57 percent of adults support Labour’s plan to impose VAT on school fees.
Mrs Robinson said: ‘When I was a secondary school principal I wanted my parents to go to dinner parties and not have to apologize because they assumed there would be a posh or class label if they said where their child was going to school.