Everything To Know About Lord Mountbatten’s Shocking Death In ‘The Crown’ Season 4

Netflix released Season 4 of its hit British royal drama The Crown today and for those who have already started to binge the latest installment, you may have been introduced to a character named Lord Mountbatten. SPOILER ALERT: Well, he dies in the very first episode. Also, in case you weren’t aware, he is based on an actual lord named Dickie Mountbatten who perished IRL.

The fourth season opens with the royal family under siege at sea by the IRA, with the devastating climax of the episode being the assassination of Lord Louis “Dickie” Mountbatten. So, naturally, we wanted to know more and did some research. Here’s everything you need to know about Lord Mountbatten’s shocking death.

How does Lord Mountbatten die?

On that fateful day in 1979 – Lord Mountbatten took a boat out to go lobster-potting and fish for tuna with his daughter, son-in-law and two twin grandsons, as well as several other family members and a young crew member. The night before, IRA member Thomas McMahon snuck onto the unguarded boat to leave a radio-controlled bomb which was then detonated when the ship was out at sea. Mountbatten was killed among others.

Did anyone survive the blast?

Mountbatten’s grandson Timothy Knatchbull survived the blast that killed his twin brother. Aside from Paul, Nick and Dickie (who was at the helm): the others on the ship also reportedly survived.

What was the purpose of the attack?

The IRA immediately claimed responsibility for the shipwreck as well as a coordinated attack 100 miles away that killed 18 British soldiers by a bomb that detonated. The statement the IRA released noted that: “The death of Mountbatten and the tributes paid to him will be seen in sharp contrast to the apathy of the British Government and the English people to the deaths of over three hundred British soldiers, and the deaths of Irish men, women, and children at the hands of their forces.”

Mountbatten was a British Royal Navy officer and First Sea Lord from 1954 to 1959. He had also served as chairman of the NATO Military Committee for a year.

Michael is a music and television junkie keen on most things that are not a complete and total bore. You can follow him on Twitter — @Tweetskoor

Stream The Crown on Netflix