Editors note: To coincide with the wide release of The Crown ‘s Season 4 —- we’re profiling the assassination of Louis Mountbatten. Mountbatten was assassinated in 1979 during an IRA attack using a bomb that was hidden on his boat mid-water. The assassination rattled the royal family, thus, causing extended grief and rifts between that lingered on for decades.
Formally known as Louis Francis Albert Victor Nicholas Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma (born Prince Louis of Battenberg) —- he was the uncle of Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh and a second cousin once removed of the Queen.
Mountbatten ‘s story makes an appearance in episode 1 of The Crown season 4 as it is mentioned how; when, and by whom he is assassinated. Mountbatten ‘s death triggered a political war on behalf of the then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who, in a historical phone call swore to the Queen she’d enact justice.
DATE OF ASSASSINATION: 5 September 1979.
In the hours after his death, the IRA acknowledged that they were responsible. It by far is one of the greatest tragedies ever to strike the royal family.