'The Crown' Season 3 slammed for scene featuring Queen's 'fake tears' at Aberfan coal-tip tragedy
The third season of 'The Crown' is at much scrutiny from viewers for showing that the Queen faked tears while visiting victims of the Aberfan coal-tip tragedy. The disaster took place on 21 October 1966 at around 9.15 am when heavy rain led to a build-up of water within a colliery spoil tip as it slid downhill as a slurry and took several lives.
Queen Elizabeth II visited the village eight days after the devastating avalanche killed nearly 116 children and 28 adults. In the series, the Queen — played by Olivia Colman — can be seen repeatedly snubbing Prime Minister Harold Wilson’s suggestion to meet grieving relatives.
She did, however, consider his advice and as she was on her way to Wales, the Monarch was told in the Netflix series, "You may wish to consider this is Wales, not England. A display of emotion would not just be considered appropriate, it’s expected." At the location, the Queen dabs her eye and sheds a tear after talking to the bereaved.
One of the most tragic events, it invokes several emotional and horrific memories. One Twitter user wrote, "Absolutely can’t wait for season 3 #TheCrown but I remember my mum crying when the Aberfan disaster was on the news, still makes me sad," and another fan posted, "#TheCrown will reference the Aberfan tragedy. Googling will turn up many articles about prophetic dreams tied to this event."
However, the series seems to have twisted the occurrences and in a scene, the Queen can be heard saying, "I dabbed a bone-dry eye and by some miracle no one noticed."
This hasn't gone down too well with the Royal Family according to a Daily Mail report. Slamming the fictional version of events as "absolute nonsense", Joe Haines, Wilson’s press secretary, said the Queen was capable of showing emotion, adding: "Anyone who saw her at The Cenotaph knows that."
Later, a publicist for 'The Crown' clarified: "We show a Monarch who is naturally restrained, while advisers question her stoicism. We make it clear she has a strong bond with Aberfan." As the show premieres on Netflix on Sunday, November 17, 2019, for audiences across the globe, it will undoubtedly attract criticism and stir strong responses.