Reviewers from sites like The Telegraph and IMDb note that this episode takes considerable liberties with history:
Elizabeth’s visit to Kentucky actually took place in the 1980s, not the late 1960s as depicted . Conclusion: A Constitutional Climax 'The Crown' Recap Season 3 Episode 5: “Coup” - Decider The_Crown_3x05_WEBMux_Ita_Eng_5_1_Earine
Parallel to Elizabeth’s escape is the brewing discontent among the British elite following the devaluation of the pound by Prime Minister Harold Wilson . Reviewers from sites like The Telegraph and IMDb
A significant portion of the episode follows Queen Elizabeth (Olivia Colman) on a month-long trip to France and Kentucky with her racing manager, Lord "Porchey" Porchester . While Cecil King did meet with Mountbatten in
While Cecil King did meet with Mountbatten in 1968 to discuss a potential takeover, historical accounts suggest Mountbatten shut the idea down as "rank treachery" almost immediately . The show extends this for dramatic tension, having him seriously weigh the option until the Queen intervenes .
Director Christian Schwochow uses the bright, open landscapes of America and France to contrast the stifling, "pseudo-fascistic" lighting of the dark rooms where the coup is being plotted back in London . The Political Thriller: Mountbatten’s Ambition