'The Crown' effect: How a TV show introduced Prince Philip to a generation of Americans - CNN

For a whole generation of Americans, Prince Philip was a blank slate.

"People had some sense that he was this older gentleman next to Elizabeth, but really no specific sense of who he is and who he was," said Arianne Chernock, an associate professor of history at Boston University.

That time frame also coincides with the early years of her marriage to Prince Philip, played by Matt Smith.

"The role of prince consort is really challenging and those who've taken on that role have had very few precedents to study and very little sense of the concrete job description heading into the position," said Chernock.

And albeit through modern eyes, many Americans have now formed some view of Prince Philip thanks to "The Crown."

Mary McClelland, a fan of the show who lives in Chicago, said her opinion of the Queen's husband was neutral before she watched the Netflix series.

"But I don't necessarily fault him for who he is."

While many Americans may not have had a firm impression of Prince Philip, his reputation in Britain evolved over the decades.

"So, his sense of humor and his fun can sometimes get him into trouble."

"I think the show went a long way to kind of humanize him, to show the man behind the crown," said Debra Birnbaum, former executive editor at Variety, before Philip's death.

For some avid fans, each episode of "The Crown" has led to a trip to the internet to learn more about the people involved, including Prince Philip.