Who plays Kate Middleton in The Crown?

Fans who are eagerly awaiting the return of season six are wondering who plays Kate Middleton in The Crown?

The decision over which actor and actress would play Prince William and Kate Middleton was first revealed last year but at the time fans weren't sure what to make of the choice.

The actors Ed McVey and Meg Bellamy will portray the Prince and Princess of Wales in the early days of their romance and when they went by the royal titles Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the scene in season six will also see Prince William deal with his 'mother's death'. 

But as Netflix start to tease the season six return of The Crown with a new trailer, fans are calling out for a reminder of who will be playing the prestigious roles - and we share everything we know about them below.

No doubt fans of the drama will want to recap what happened in The Crown season five in preparation for the new episodes of the sixth and final instalment, as we look at who is playing Kate Middleton...

Who plays Kate Middleton in The Crown?

Actress Meg Bellamy plays Kate Middleton in The Crown. The 19-year-old drama student will take on the role of Kate in her early twenties, as The Crown season six will portray the start of William and Kate’s famous love story - which began at the University of St Andrews.

Deadline revealed Netflix’s casting choice for Kate Middleton in the sixth and final instalment just weeks before season five hit screens.

The news was announced that producers were on the hunt for a young Kate lookalike back in April 2022,  after initially struggling to cast Prince Harry for the fifth series.

Reacting to the exciting news at the time, Meg took to her Instagram to share a statement that read, "Pinch me, please…So excited to announce that I will be playing Kate Middleton in Series 6 of Netflix’s ‘The Crown’. It is such an honour to be joining the most incredible cast and crew, and I will strive to do Kate justice."

However, the casting choice has left some fans torn, with one sceptic commenting on Twitter, “They both have brown hair, so that’s something," and a second adding, “Not sure they nailed Kate.”

Despite the mixed reaction, another fan reminded others that likeness is only a small part of the portrayal, saying, “Most of The Crown actors don’t [carry resemblance], but with a good performance, and high budget make-up, script, costumes etc. one soon forgets.”

While other fans voiced their delight at the choice - one said on Instagram, “A great choice!”

Another tweeted, "Oh yes my beautiful Catherine is a good match."

Who is playing Prince William in The Crown?

Two actors are playing Prince William in The Crown - Rufus Kampa has been cast to play 15-year-old William, with Ed McVey then stepping in to play the Prince in his university years. Rufus is best known for playing geeky schoolboy Adrian Mole in the stage adaptation of the Sue Townsend novel. 

At the time a source told The Mirror, "“Rufus can’t wait to play Prince William and he’ll be playing him at an age when he was a pin-up for schoolgirls around the world, so it will be a very ­different role from what he’s used to.

“The school where he studied in a small village outside Aylesbury is also very ­different to the one where William went.

“Rufus attended a small state school with a real mix of pupils from all different backgrounds.

“He’s playing the young William from his school days and another actor will play the 

Meanwhile, there’s not much about the upcoming actor Ed, 22, other than he studied acting at the Drama Centre London in 2021. Among the stage plays he’s starred in include Rosmerholm, Government Inspector, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and the Pains of Youth. uni years when he met Kate Middleton. They are both fantastic new actors.”

Sharing the news with his followers, Ed said, “I’m absolutely buzzing to be given the opportunity to play Prince William in The Crown in Series 6!!! Alongside the amazing Meg Bellamy Gunna be an amazing shoot can’t wait to learn all I can!”

Meanwhile in other The Crown news, Netflix's The Crown set to pay ultimate tribute to Queen Elizabeth II in final season and The Crown actress Helena Bonham Carter reveals she drunkenly asked Prince William to be her daughter's godfather.