The Prince is criticised for mocking the Duke of Edinburgh

Death of Prince Philip ‘mocked’ in new animated satire: Late royal is shown drooling, vacant and eating pureed food in The Prince starring Harry’s pal Orlando Bloom

  • HBO Max has released controversial animated Royal Family satire The Prince
  • Series was created by Family Guy producer Gary Janetti and revolves around a fictional version of Prince George as a young tyrannical prince
  • Trailer shows the Queen shooting dead a butler for startling her, Prince William being carried to the toilet and Prince Charles declaring ‘it’s my turn’ to be king
  • Prince Philip, who died in April, is seen drooling and collapsing on the floor 
  • Show has been criticised for parodying George, Charlotte and Louis 

An animated TV series which lampoons members of the Royal Family has been criticised for mocking the Duke of Edinburgh following his death at the age of 99.

The Prince, created by Family Guy co-executive producer Gary Janetti and starring Orlando Bloom as Prince Harry, centres around a fictional version of Prince George as a child tyrant with expensive taste, a withering sense of humour and a dim view of his family. 

Among the targets are Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, who is confused about the idea of an ‘apartment’ after moving to Los Angeles, and the Queen, who is shown as a tantrum-throwing mafia boss.

The Duke of Edinburgh, voiced by Downton Abbey’s Dan Stevens, is portrayed as drooling and vacant, and at one point collapses onto the floor while the family continues to talk around him. 

The Duke of Edinburgh, voiced by Downton Abbey’s Dan Stevens, is portrayed as drooling and vacant, and at one point collapses onto the floor while the family continues to talk around him

The 12-episode series – which is available to stream in the US on HBO Max but is not yet airing in the UK – was originally due to premiere in the Spring but was delayed following the Duke of Edinburgh’s death on April 9. It has now been released but still features Prince Philip

The Prince has sparked heated debate amongst viewers over its brutal depiction of the Royal Family, particularly children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Some have also seen it in bad taste to include the Duke of Edinburgh

The 12-episode series – which is available to stream in the US on HBO Max but is not yet airing in the UK – was originally due to premiere in the Spring but was delayed following the Duke of Edinburgh’s death on April 9. 

In a statement at the time, the network said: ‘We were saddened to learn of Prince Philip’s passing and will adjust plans for the series debut. A new date will be announced at a later time.’ 

There was speculation over whether the character would be removed from the series altogether.  

The Prince has sparked heated debate amongst viewers over its brutal depiction of the Royal Family, particularly children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.   

The Duke of Edinburgh eats pureed, mushy food while the rest of the family sits down to a hearty meal in one scene from The Prince 

The Prince, created by Family Guy producer Gary Janetti, centres around a fictional version of Prince George as a child tyrant with expensive taste, a withering sense of humour and a dim view of his family – particularly his thuggish brother Louis. It premieres in the US today. Pictured l-r: Camilla, Prince Charles, the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince William and Kate 

One tweeted: ‘Parody of adults is one thing, of children, no matter how protected, it feels uncomfortable and potentially damaging to them.’

Another added: ‘I agree with 100% @SholaMos1 l imagine Prince William and Kate will be upset and angry… the trailer looks dreadful. Yes children are off limits it is cruel.’

Others were unimpressed at the decision to ridicule the Duke of Edinburgh, with one writing: ‘I’m no royal family fan or anything, but seeing as Prince Philip has passed away the way he’s portrayed on #ThePrince on HBO is a little upsetting.’

TV series The Prince, created by Family Guy producer Gary Janetti, depicts Prince George as a child tyrant with expensive taste, a withering sense of humour and a dim view of his family

Prince Harry is shown coming to terms with his post-royal life as he and Meghan arrive in an LA apartment. Looking around, he says: ‘This might be the smallest palace I have ever been in’

However others argued comedians should be free to make jokes and defended the right to free speech. 

‘Some people will find it funny, some won’t. Why do we always seem to cater for the ones that won’t? Humour isn’t a one size fits all,’ one Twitter user countered.      

Speaking at the time the series was delayed journalist and royal commentator Robert Jobson, the author of Prince Philip’s Century: The Extraordinary Life of the Duke of Edinburgh, said the series was tasteless but that Prince Philip would have taken it with a ‘pinch of salt’.

He said: ‘The depiction of the Duke of Edinburgh as an old buffoon is a little cheap and unnecessary, and at this moment in time it may be out of place, but satire has been going on for centuries.

‘He had a sense of humour about his time, and he obviously would’ve taken this with a pinch of salt.’ 

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