A series that has covered almost five decades of royal history, The Crown season 5 is filled with love, fraught relationships and heartbreaking loss and people are curious to know about Leonora Knatchbull and her death
In the 5th Season of The Crown, the opening episodes are basically focused on a lesser-known character, which is Diana’s goddaughter Leonora. Leonora Knatchbull got introduced briefly in 1st episode of the latest season of Crown and it showcases that she has recently been ill but who is she exactly and what happens to her in given below.
Know Who Is Leonora Knatchbull From The Crown Season 5 And Her Cause Of Death
And don’t get me started on how insensitive and horrible to the Earl and Countess Mountbatten the scene depicting Prince Philip and The Countess on their late daughter Leonora Knatchbull’s grave is. And how it seems they have decided to portray Philip and Penelope’s friendship. https://t.co/zUmgVe9NPA pic.twitter.com/WGOYOVem72
— CoutureAndRoyals (@CoutureRoyals) November 1, 2022
Who is Leonora Knatchbull?
Leonora Knatchbull was the third and youngest child to Norton Knatchbull and his wife. Norton is the grandson of the late Louis Mountbatten which makes him the cousin of Prince Philip. Since 2017, he and his wife have been the Earl and Countess Mountbatten of Burma.
She was born on the 25th of June in 1986. Leonora is just five years old when she appears in her one of the first series and is played by child actress Clara Graham. In the scenes of the 1st episode, it is revealed that Leonora is Princess Diana’s goddaughter and is presently in remission after suffering from cancer.
Leonora Knatchbull Death
Leonora passed away in the 2nd episode of season 5th. Apart from being in remission for a long time, her cancer returned and she died from a kidney tumor on the 22nd of October in 1991 at 5 years of age.
As per reports in The Herald, Leonora got diagnosed with cancer in 1990 after she fell ill during a family trip in Spain. Leonora underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy in an effort to treat illness, but 14 months later Leonora unfortunately passed away.
In the series, it is shown that she is buried on the grounds of the family home based in Broadlands in Hampshire.
Leonora’s Mother and Prince Philip’s Bond
After Leonora’s death, The Crown then spends much of 2nd episode following Prince Philip as he looks to support Penelope Knatchbull in the wake of the loss. Prince suggests for a charity that should be set up in Leonora’s name. This in 1994 became a reality as Norton and Penelope Knatchbull launched Leonora’s Children’s Cancer Funds.
Moreover, this idea also helped her to distract her mind by finding a new passion and helping out to restore an old horse carriage and teaching her how to drive it. The real-life relationship between Prince Philip and Countess Penelope was truly close. She was one of just 30 guests who were allowed to attend Prince Philip’s funeral in 2021 during the Covid-19 restrictions.