Amid renewed interest in The Crown following Queen Elizabeth II’s death, fans are uncovering the lives of the monarch’s “hidden” cousins revealed in season four. The recent announcement from Buckingham Palace confirmed that Britain's longest-serving ruler passed away peacefully at Balmoral, aged 96. This event not only triggered a wave of nostalgia for the Queen's legacy but also sparked curiosity about the lesser-known members of the royal family, specifically Katherine and Nerissa Bowes-Lyon.
Shortly after the queen’s death was announced, the showrunners of The Crown decided to suspend production on the show’s sixth season to honor Elizabeth II. Despite this, older seasons of the series are seeing a surge in popularity, drawing viewers back to the dramatic tales of the royal family.
The fourth season of The Crown delves into significant moments in the royal family's history, including the scandals that marked Elizabeth II's reign. Most notably, it sheds light on the revelation that Queen Elizabeth II had two cousins, Katherine and Nerissa Bowes-Lyon, who were kept hidden from the public eye. Their story raises questions about the royal family's treatment of those who faced challenges.
Unveiling the Bowes-Lyon Sisters
Katherine and Nerissa Bowes-Lyon were born into a family with significant ties to the British royal family. Katherine, born in 1926, and Nerissa, born in 1919, were daughters of John Herbert Bowes-Lyon, the brother of the Queen Mother. As first cousins to Queen Elizabeth II, their connection to the royal lineage should have afforded them a place within the family.
However, both sisters were born with severe learning difficulties. After their father passed away in 1930, they were placed in a mental health institution, the Royal Earlswood Hospital, in 1941. Sadly, their story took a darker turn as they were reported dead in a prominent aristocratic reference book, Burke's Peerage, despite being very much alive.
| Name | Birth Year | Death Year | Relation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Katherine Bowes-Lyon | 1926 | 2014 | Cousin to Queen Elizabeth II |
| Nerissa Bowes-Lyon | 1919 | 1986 | Cousin to Queen Elizabeth II |
Life in the Institution
The tragic circumstances of Katherine and Nerissa's lives highlight the stigma surrounding mental health during their time. They were admitted to a hospital where their disability was largely overlooked, leading to a life of isolation. Their cousins, who shared a similar condition, were also admitted on the same day, highlighting a troubling pattern in the family’s history.
Despite being alive, Katherine and Nerissa were marked as deceased in the 1963 edition of Burke's Peerage. This misinformation provided a facade of propriety for the royal family, reflecting the era's harsh attitudes towards individuals with disabilities.
Representation in The Crown
Viewers are introduced to Katherine and Nerissa in a poignant episode of The Crown, where their story is interwoven with the larger narrative of the royal family. The scene captures the sisters watching the Queen on television, momentarily connecting them to the royal life they were distanced from. This portrayal serves to humanize the sisters and shed light on the royal family's complexities.
As the story unfolds, Princess Margaret discovers the existence of her neglected cousins and confronts the Queen Mother about their fate. Her remarks about the sisters being "locked up and neglected" encapsulate the family's cold treatment of those who did not fit the mold of royal expectations.
Why the Secrecy?
The reasons behind Katherine and Nerissa’s exclusion from the royal family are multifaceted. While many royal family members were aware of their existence, most believed the sisters had died—an unfortunate lie that was perpetuated to maintain the family's social standing. The stigma associated with mental health and its potential impact on the royal lineage played a significant role in this secrecy.
In The Crown, the Queen Mother attempts to justify the decision to hide the sisters, suggesting that their conditions could threaten the royal bloodline’s integrity. This perspective reflects a troubling view of mental health that still resonates today, illustrating how societal perceptions can shape family dynamics.
Public Discovery of the Sisters' Story
The truth about Katherine and Nerissa's lives came to light in 1987, shortly after Nerissa's death. Journalists uncovered that she had been buried in a grave marked only by a name tag and serial number, a stark reminder of the neglect faced by the sisters. The hospital confirmed their connection to the royal family, prompting widespread public interest and scrutiny.
Following the revelation, Buckingham Palace stated that the Queen was aware of the report but refrained from commenting further, emphasizing the Bowes-Lyon family's privacy. Over the years, various documentaries, including The Queen’s Hidden Cousins, reignited discussions about the treatment of Katherine and Nerissa, sparking outrage and drawing parallels to modern perceptions of mental health.
Visitation and Family Connections
Despite claims that Katherine and Nerissa had been forgotten, accounts from former staff at the Royal Earlswood Hospital suggest that visits from the royal family were rare. The lack of contact raises questions about the family’s true awareness of the sisters' conditions and their emotional needs.
As the narrative around Katherine and Nerissa unfolds, it serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of compassion and understanding, especially towards those who are often marginalized. Their story continues to resonate, underscoring the need for dialogue about mental health and familial responsibility.
The legacy of Katherine and Nerissa Bowes-Lyon serves as a powerful reminder of the complexities within the royal family, revealing the often-unseen struggles faced by individuals with disabilities and the stigma surrounding mental health.
