Netflix says it has “no plans – and sees no need” to add a disclaimer to The Crown to explain it is a fictional series, and not a historical documentary.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden is thought to have sent a private letter to the streaming giant.

He previously praised the show – now in its fourth season – as a “beautifully produced work of fiction”, but wants Netflix to add a disclaimer at the beginning of each episode.

He is concerned the programme could be in danger of misleading fans – particularly younger generations who did not live through the more recent events.

Last month, he told the Mail on Sunday: “It’s a beautifully produced work of fiction, so as with other TV productions, Netflix should be very clear at the beginning it is just that.

“Without this, I fear a generation of viewers who did not live through these events may mistake fiction for fact.”

The series about the Royal Family could lead viewers to mistake the show’s fictitious events as factual incidents, he is thought to believe.

Helena Bonham Carter, who plays the Queen’s sister Princess Margaret in the third and fourth series, said there is a “moral responsibility” to outline that The Crown is a work of drama rather than historical fact.

In an interview for The Crown’s official podcast – recorded after filming season four earlier this year – the actress discussed the differences between “our version” of events and the “real version”.

She said: “I do feel very strongly because I think we have a moral responsibility to say, ‘Hang on guys, this is not… it’s not drama doc, we’re making a drama’.

“So they are two different entities.”

The show’s creator Peter Morgan has previously featured on the podcast to defend his right to use a creative licence.

The latest series features Diana, Princess of Wales – played by Emma Corrin – and dramatises her relationship with Prince Charles.

A statement from Netflix says it has “every confidence” its consumers know that the programme is loosely-based on the past.

The streaming giant said: “We have always presented The Crown as a drama – and we have every confidence our members understand it’s a work of fiction that’s broadly based on historical events.

“As a result we have no plans – and see no need – to add a disclaimer.”

It is understood that very few complaints have been issued to Netflix about the content of series four.

Former royal butler Paul Burrell said the latest season is a “fair and accurate dramatisation” of how the royals treated Princess Diana.

However, her brother Earl Spencer has said there should be a disclaimer that the show is “based around some real events” to avoid people consuming the content as completely truthful, which he says is “unfair”.