‘The Crown’ actor is embroiled in military medal scandal
The Crown on Netflix has won several accolades during its streaming reign from 2016 to 2023. But word on the street suggests an actor from the very series could not hold on to his crown too long. The fallen star in question is James Yeates. The Crown actor has been most recently accused of posing with stolen valour and medals, assuming a false persona and keeping up the act throughout.
According to The Sun’s exclusive new report, Yeates, who reportedly attended an Honourable Artillery Company dinner in top-to-bottom Intelligence Corps unit dress, had been bluffing all this while. Military veterans initiated an inquiry, chasing a tip, and Yeates was ultimately exposed. In the pictures from the Honourable Artillery Company dinner, The Crown actor donned three medals. These include the Queen’s Diamond, Platinum Jubilee, and King’s Coronation medals.
Countless other pictures online show Yeats sporting in Intelligence Corps uniforms. However, the reality is far different from what he would like the world to believe. He has allegedly not even served a day in the army. While the pictures may raise eyebrows, it turns out he probably bought them online. To keep up with the false pretence, Yeats went as far as creating and continuing the cover story across social sites.
One of his online bios read, “I’m a fully trained, enthusiastic and versatile actor, I’m also a current serving officer in the British armed forces (reserves).” Upon further probe by the tabloid, Yeates was quick to readjust the bio. It no longer indicates that he serves in the army. But that’s just one site. On Backstage, The Crown actor’s bio reads, “Alongside being a professionally trained and working actor, I am also a current serving officer in the British Armed Forces (reserves).”
If you think that’s far-fetched to live a life of lies, Yeates’s auto-signature on email says, “Major James Yeates, Co-Founder, Military and Aviation Advisors.” However, history has it, deception has a short shelf life. According to veterans who launched the initial investigations, no official records of Yeates serving in the reserves have been recovered. He is also amiss in the London Gazette, where each and every officer’s commissions are listed.
Yeates suggested the mess dinner picture was from a film set. He additionally claimed his firm, Military and Aviation Advisors, worked on the movie Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Despite his claims, guests who attended the dinner in March 2024 added that an official and internal investigation is ongoing to find out who sent him the invitation. Furthermore, no records of Yeates’s involvement in the film were ever found.
The aftermath? The investigation, led by the Walter Mitty Hunters Club, has now rallied for a new law, the Stolen Valour Act. “His deliberate actions are disrespectful to the service community and to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service to the crown,” a spokesperson said.