The royals have steadfastly refused to comment on glossy Netflix drama The Crown – but the other side of the family has now hit back with a fierce attack on the Middletons' portrayal.
In the latest episode of the hit Mail podcast The Crown: Fact or Fiction, out tomorrow, the Princess of Wales' uncle criticizes producers for portraying his sister Carole as “evil”.
Gary Goldsmith continues to attack the series for misrepresenting other relatives, including his parents as well as Kate and Prince William, and claims he struggles to understand why his sister has “not taken legal action” over her characterization.
The sixth and final series, released last month, stars Mrs Middleton as a ruthless social climber obsessed with luring her daughter into the young prince's affections.
The royals have steadfastly refused to comment on glossy Netflix drama The Crown (pictured).
A scene from Season 6, Episode 9 of The Crown starring Eve Best as Carole Middleton with young Kate Middleton and Prince William in the series
A scene from The Crown Season 6, Episode 7 with Eve Best as Carole Middleton and Ella Bright as young Kate Middleton
Carole Middleton and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attend Royal Ascot 2017
It contains a completely fictional scene from 1996 in which Kate meets William. It triggers a crush on Kate – and sets Mrs Middleton's plan in motion for her daughter to secure a place on the same course as the prince at St Andrews University.
Businessman Mr Goldsmith told the podcast that he enjoyed the first series of The Crown but that it had drifted into a “fantasy world”. He said: “The narrative, the truth of it, has gone out of its way to make headlines.”
“When it started to get ridiculous and fantastic, it was very hard to watch, so I stopped.” He added: “If you wrote a book, where would you put it?” It's not going to be in the book Go into art history, right? Put it in the children's section.'
In an attempt to clarify the matter, Mr Goldsmith said: “Carole is not this manipulative evil person… who thinks up ways to force her way into the royal family.”
“First and foremost, Kate did an excellent job of getting to St Andrews. She's a great girl, but that wasn't noticed. It was all about, “Kate, you have to do these things, you have to show your legs,” and that's just not my family. “It’s not the way Carole operates.”
The company's employees behind The Crown have received bonuses totaling more than £10 million. It is unclear how many Left Bank Pictures employees shared the pot, but the website lists 36 employees, meaning they could have received more than £280,000 each.
The bonus, which was paid after the show completed filming last year, was detailed in Companies House filings.