
Netflix has sparked outrage after it emerged it could show scenes depicting Prince Philip in a relationship with close friend Penny Knatchbull in the new series of The Crown.
The hit show, which is one of the streaming giant's most popular programmes, will return to screens on November 9 with some royal watchers concerned about the content of this season.
The Sun reports that storylines in future episodes will include 'intimate scenes' between the late Duke of Edinburgh and Burma's Countess Mountbatten, who was 30 years his junior.
The pair are thought to be seen touching hands as Philip talks about his marriage.
Dickie Arbiter, who was Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's spokesman from 1988 to 2000, told the publication that it was distasteful that such scenes would be played just weeks after her funeral.
"Coming just weeks after the nation laid Her Majesty to rest next to Prince Philip, this is very unpleasant and, frankly, cruel rubbish," he said.
"The truth is Penny was a long time friend of the whole family. Netflix is not interested in people's feelings.'
Majesty magazine editor Ingrid Seward added: “It's in extremely bad taste.
'This is fiction. There is no way in a million years he would discuss his marriage with anyone. The royals probably won't watch it for their sanity
A Netflix source told MailOnline that reports of the next season's content are 'pure speculation'.
Buckingham Palace has been contacted for comment. Referred to as the 'second most important woman' in his life, Philip bonded with Penny, now 69, over their mutual love of carriage rides and had a friendship that spanned decades.
Philip is said to have supported Penny when her five-year-old daughter Leonora died of kidney cancer.
Also known as Lady Romsey and Lady Brabourne, Penny was a regular visitor to Wood Farm, the cottage on the edge of the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk where the Prince spent much of his time after retiring from public life in August 2017.
She was the only non-family member invited to his intimate 30-person funeral last year, reflecting just how important a role she played in the Duke's life.
Indeed, the Countess enjoyed such a close relationship with the Queen and Philip that Palace staff are said to have nicknamed her 'and too' because no guest list was considered complete without her. She also attended the Queen's funeral last month, another sign of her close ties to the royal family.
Penny will be portrayed by British actress Natascha McElhone in what will be the penultimate season of The Croën.
Many of her scenes will be opposite Sir Jonathan Pryce, who is stepping into the shoes of Tobias Menzies and Matt Smith to play Prince Philip.
The Sun reports that an episode next season will see the Duke of Edinburgh teach Penny to ride in a buggy, while discovering his marriage has its own 'issues'.
Joining the cast for the series' fifth season is Imelda Staunton, who will portray Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, while Dominic West will play Prince Charles and Elizabeth Debicki will star as Diana, Princess of Wales.