3 Public Relations Elements Found in the Series *The Crown*

What happens in the lives of royal families has always been a topic that captivates many people. For example, the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011 was watched live by two billion people around the world, a testament to the global public’s fascination with the lives of members of the British royal family.

It’s no wonder, then, that the series *The Crown*, which premiered in early November 2016 on Netflix, has also successfully captured the attention of many viewers. Through its four seasons, the show’s writer, Peter Morgan, invites viewers to take a journey through time by exploring historical events—not only in the UK but also in various other countries.

Of course, one of the most fascinating aspects of royalty or government is how they communicate with the public. The Crown—whose episodes are eagerly anticipated by fans—is also packed with various public relations activities that we can learn from.

Pretty fascinating, right? Curious about the PR strategies and activities featured in “The Crown”?

Reputation Management for Queen Elizabeth II

Source: Purewow.com

In episode five of the second season of the series *The Crown*, a member of the House of Lords named Lord Altrincham—who is also a local newspaper columnist—wrote an article criticizing Queen Elizabeth II for the way she communicates with the public. According to Altrincham, the Queen and other members of the royal family are still too conservative, rigid, and out of touch with the times.

His comments sparked controversy and became a hot topic of discussion among the British public. Journalists from other newspapers also wrote articles expressing their support for Lord Altrincham’s criticism. Eventually, Michael Adeane, the Queen’s private secretary, decided to invite Altrincham to Buckingham Palace. Through this invitation, Altrincham was able to convey his insights and criticisms directly to Queen Elizabeth II.

This episode illustrates that the British monarchy places great emphasis on managing and safeguarding its reputation—a concept known in public relations as “reputation management,” which refers to efforts to influence or control public perception of a company or individual. Through this strategy, Queen Elizabeth II’s reputation was restored in the public eye.

Read more: 3 Tips for Successful Reputation Management

Crisis Management & Media Relations

Source: RadioTimes.com

In episode four of the first season, the series *The Crown* tells the story of the Great Smog of London, which occurred in 1952. At that time, London was suddenly shrouded in smog for five days, caused by a combination of industrial pollution and high-pressure weather conditions. In addition to bringing nearly all activities in the city of London to a halt, this smog also claimed thousands of lives.

Realizing that his position as Prime Minister was under threat, Churchill—who was visiting a hospital to see the impact of the smog on public health—finally decided to seize the moment. He invited reporters from various tabloids and newspapers to come and cover his hospital visit, as well as his commitment to being a true leader during those difficult times.

To address the problem he was facing, Churchill employed crisis management tactics—a process or method used in public relations to respond to events that have a negative impact on an organization and its stakeholders. In this instance, the Prime Minister of London responded by visiting the victims affected by the smog.

Read more: How to Handle the Media During a Crisis

At the same time, Churchill also leveraged the media relations he had built with journalists over the years. Media relations serve as a key means of fostering organic relationships and communication with the media. Through his good relationship with the media, he conveyed his commitment to continue providing support to the victims of the natural disaster. With this strategy, the public ultimately placed greater hope in Churchill, allowing him to retain his position as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Read more: Public Relations vs. Media Relations.

Through the series *The Crown*, in addition to being treated to an engaging storyline and visuals, the lives of the British royal family and the figures around them—filled with drama, scandals, crises, and glamour—actually feature quite a few PR strategies. After reading this article, you’re probably curious about how *The Crown* portrays PR activities, so go watch it now!

Written by Savira & Cinthya, PR Consultancy Interns