Netflix's The Crown is to pay ultimate tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II when the sixth and final season airs.

The popular show has seen three actresses - Claire Foy, Olivia Colman and Imelda Staunton - depict the role of the former monarch throughout various stages of her life from season one to season five.

Following the Queen's death last year, producers decided to continue filming, but making it the sixth and final season and there's reports that the streaming service plans to pay tribute to the late Queen by featuring a line up of its biggest stars from The Crown cast.

All three actresses who played the late Majesty are set to appear once again as its claimed new scenes have been filmed starring them.

But that's not all, newcomer Viola Prettejohn will play a very young Queen Elizabeth II during her younger years from the war time.

According to The Sun, the decision to revisit the Queen's life and mark it in someway came after record-breaking viewers tuned in to watch the Queen's funeral.

The insider teased, "Netflix are playing a clever hand with these four queens, bringing the story of Her Majesty to a sensational end after telling virtually all of her life story over 60 episodes.

“It also indicated the respect and affection which the creators have for the lates monarch, even though they might not feel the same way about the royals as an institution."

They added, "The idea would most likely have been devised last year, around the time that the Queen passed away, as a way of paying tribute to her. Getting the actresses together was no feat as both Claire and Olivia went on to bigger things after making The Crown and have packed schedules.”

The Crown previously shared a statement defending the show after it was branded 'deliberately hurtful' to royals and fans are eagerly awaiting season 6, which is set to air in 2023.

And while the sixth season is set to feature events leading up to the Queen's death, there is talk of creators of The Crown making a film about the Windsors - looking at Elizabeth before her reign or the rift between Prince William and Prince Harry.

Video of the week

Helena Bonham Carter, the actress who played Princess Margaret in Netflix's The Crown, has revealed she drunkenly asked Prince William if he would be her daughter's godfather.

• The actress who played Princess Margaret in Netflix's royal drama The Crown revealed that she asked Prince William to be her daughter's godfather when the two met at a party.
• She explained that it 'obviously it didn’t work out,' with Prince William politely declining the offer.
• In other royal news, Prince William's blunt comment during royal engagement has audience in fits of giggles.

Royal fans are always delighted when Hollywood royalty mixes with actual royalty and Prince William nearly got the opportunity to take this one step further and add the daughter of a very famous actress to his small roster of godchildren.

Actress Helena Bonham Carter has revealed how she drunkenly asked the Prince of Wales if he would act as her daughter, Nell's, godfather.

As well as being known among royal watchers for her brilliant portrayal of Princess Margaret in seasons three and four of Netflix's The Crown, Carter has starred in key roles in a variety of films from Harry Potter to Fight Club. 

She has also played a number of royal roles outside of The Crown, most famously starring as the Queen Mother in The King’s Speech.

During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen to promote her role as Princess Margaret in Netflix ’s The Crown, Carter revealed how she drunkenly approached Prince William to invite him into her family.

She said, "I wasn’t that drunk... He wasn’t totally sober himself. Not in a bad way, it was just very jolly."

When asked why she singled out William as an ideal godparent she said, “Thing is, I’d spent all my friends as godparents on my first child, so Billy had 11 godparents. So, I thought I could make up for Nell, you know who suddenly came along and we didn’t have any left. I thought, ‘Well, if I give her Prince William that would cover,’ you know?”

However, the actress explained that William politely declined her offer, "He just said, 'You don’t want me to be godfather to your child.' And I left. I mean, obviously it didn’t work out."

Prince William is reported to currently have three godchildren including Prince Constantine Alexios of Greece and Denmark, Thomas Pettifer and Grace van-Cutsem. 

His goddaughter Grace is perhaps better known to many royal fans as ‘the grumpy bridesmaid’ after she covered her ears on the Buckingham Palace balcony.

It is also possible that Prince William has a fourth godchild, though it has never been confirmed. Many people assume that William is Mia Tindall's godfather as her Mother, Zara Tindall, is Prince George's godmother and, as reported by The Mirror, Prince William was pictured attending Mia's christening along with one of Mike Tindall's closest friends.

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• Royal roles at King Charles’ coronation revealed including Kate Middleton and Prince Harry
• The reason Prince William and Kate Middleton have missed the BAFTAs for two years

We'll watch anything with Helena Bonham Carter at the helm. Here's when Nolly starts on ITV.

From the clever, creative mind of Russell T Davies (behind the recent successes of It's a Sin and Doctor Who) comes a new ITV drama that's set to enthrall viewers. Nolly is a TV biopic exploring the life and times of Crossroads actress Noele Gordon, who many will remember as one of Britain's brightest soap stars back in the 1970s and 80s.

Following her rise to fame and infamous shock exit from the soap, audiences young and old will discover more about the colourful character who's brought to life by The Crown's Helena Bonham Carter. Already being hailed as a must-watch drama in 2023, we've shared the details on when Nolly arrives on ITVX, alongside fellow ITV series Maternal and The Family Pile. Nolly filmed in some recognisable locations, and we reveal exactly where they can be found.

When does Nolly start on ITV?

Nolly will be released on ITV's streaming service ITVX on Thursday 2 February 2023. The series - written by Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies - tells the story of Crossroads actress Noele Gordon.

Noele - known as Nolly to friends - came to prominence for her role as widow Meg Richardson on the long-running soap. A role she played for over 18 years. Then in 1981, Gordon was unceremoniously axed, without explanation, by show bosses.

Show creater and writer Russell T Davies has brought the "extraordinary story" to life, stating it as "a love letter to a legend of television, and to the madcap soap she starred in".

"It’s very mad in places. A whole generation will remember Benny and Miss Diane of the Crossroads reception, so there's a lovely sigh of recognition. But that's not what it's about.

"It's also genuinely about the hard work of making a soap opera," he tells the Radio Times. "This still goes on today. Those actors work so phenomenally hard and never get appreciated for it, so I hope it's waving a flag for all of them."

Davies revealed that he also has a personal connection to the tale - or rather the show that is being put in the spotlight. 

"One of my very first jobs in TV was a trial script for Crossroads, and I've wanted to write the story of behind the scenes on that show for 40 years. At last, the truth can be told!”

What is Nolly on ITVX about? Plot details

"Nolly brings the true Noele Gordon once more into the spotlight," reads the official synopsis. "The Queen of the Midlands, a star who could be tough, haughty and imperious, grandly sweeping into rehearsals from her Rolls Royce, but also a hard-working actress who was fiercely loyal and loved by cast and crew alike. 

"And at last, the biggest question of all can be answered – why was she sacked? Nolly reveals the truth, the consequences, and the legacy of that terrible day."

Nolly trailer - 'First Look'

In a first look teaser we get our first glimpses of Carter as Noele Gordon. Having only just learned she has been sacked from Crossroads, the soap star is thrust into a sea of reporters to explain the news.

"Now remember, you've resigned," she's told. "This is fine, this was always your plan. You've handed in your resignation because you wanted to, the decision to resign is yours and yours alone."

However in true Nolly fashion, she decides to tell it like it us once outside and facing the cameras. "Gentlemen, I have been sacked," she says, going against the advice she's just been given.

"Oh no," responds the PR gentleman, realising this doesn't bode well for him.

How many episodes of Nolly are there?

Nolly on ITVX will be made up of three episodes, each one around an hour in length. The full boxset will be released in one go, ready for viewers to binge.

Nolly will be broadcast sometime in Spring on ITV, though as yet no official date has been given. To coincide with the Nolly release on ITVX, a documentary titled The Real Nolly will drop the same day (Thursday 2 February).

"The Real Nolly, with exclusive access to her personal papers, never-before-seen pictures and interviews with those who knew her best, explores the life of Noele Gordon," reads the synopsis. 

"Speaking with those who were close to her, we discover who she was, hear about the heartbreak in her life and learn what gave her the steely determination to keep going. The Real Nolly is a love letter to a true star who is still much missed by friends and fans alike and also still hugely admired." 

Helena Bonham Carter who plays her in the dramatisation also narrates the documentary.

Nolly cast:

• Helena Bonham Carter (The Crown, Harry Potter) plays Noele Gordon
• Augustus Prew (The Morning Show, The Rings of Power) plays Tony Adams
• Mark Gatiss (Sherlock, Doctor Who) plays Larry Grayson
• Richard Lintern (Silent Witness) plays Ronnie Allen
• Antonia Bernath (Cuckoo, St Trinians) plays Jane Rossington
• Clare Foster (The Bill) plays Sue Lloyd
• Chloe Harris (The Keeper) plays Susan Hanson
• Lloyd Griffith (Soccer AM, Ted Lasso) plays Paul Henry
• Con O’Neill (Happy Valley) plays Jack Barton
• Tim Wallers (The Windsors) plays Charles Denton
• Bethany Antonia (House of the Dragon) plays Poppy Ngomo

Speaking of the legendary actress she portrays at the Nolly premiere, Helena Bonham Carter said: "Her eggs might not be great but her ideas are just as good as anyone’s with balls. I’m absolutely certain that if she had been a man she wouldn’t have been treated in that way."

In a previous interview ahead of Nolly filming, The King's Speech actress described her character as "a fascinating, complex, brilliant and gutsy woman". 

"I’m so thrilled to help tell Nolly’s long overdue and largely forgotten story," she added. "Russell’s screenplay is a work of brilliance and I hope I’ll do him and Nolly justice. I can’t wait to start."

Actor Mark Gatiss stars as iconic entertainer Larry Grayson in the series - who had a close friendship with Noele Gordon in real life. The 56-year-old considered the part a pinch-me moment:

"It’s the email you dream of: an offer to play Larry Grayson in a 3-parter as part of such an amazing package," he said at the Nolly premiere Q&A. "In my research into him I just fell in love with him all over again. He was just so much part of our childhood."

Video of the Week

Step aside The Crown season 5, the real royal drama is set to arrive when Harry and Meghan's Netflix series starts airing...

The release of Prince Harry and Meghan's Netflix series trailer in December caused quite a stir on both sides of the pond, as fans reacted to never-before-seen intimate photos of the couple, plus a hidden detail or two spotted in the trailer. "When the stakes are this high, doesn't it make more sense to hear our story from us?" says Meghan in the concluding scene, and it's this quote which has many royal experts claiming that the docuseries will add “further fuel talk of a rivalry” between the two British Princes.

It's looking like viewers won't have to wait too much longer to hear Harry and Meghan's account of the Royal Family fallout, plus details of their new life in their glamourous LA home. We've shared what we know so far of a release date, the number of episodes, plus how much Harry and Meghan got paid from Netflix (topping up Prince Harry's net worth)

When does Harry and Meghan's Netflix series start?

Netflix have confirmed that Harry and Meghan's Netflix series will start on December 8, 2022. The docuseries will be split into two volumes, with the second part arriving on Netflix on December 15.

A second trailer on December 5, teased the official release date and gave audiences further insight into what the documentary will cover. In the trailer Prince Harry tells the cameras how initial public adoration for Meghan later turned sour and that they had to leave to "protect" his family.

The official Netflix synopsis describes Harry and Meghan's Netflix series as exploring "the span of their relationship, from the early days of the couple’s courtship to the challenges and controversies that prompted them to step back from the royal family. The series includes interviews with family and friends who’ve never spoken publicly about the couple’s relationship before, as well as historians and journalists who dissect how media influenced Harry and Meghan’s relationship with the royal family and the Commonwealth at large."

Fans certainly welcomed more of an inside glimpse of the couple's relationship in the first trailer, which featured a selection of private black and white snaps of the two together. Harry and Meghan can be seen smiling on holiday and spending time with their dogs. Another photo showed the two on the dancefloor at their 2018 wedding at Frogmore.

How many episodes of Harry and Meghan's Netflix series?

Netflix have confirmed that there will be a total of six episodes in Harry and Meghan's Netflix series. It's fair to assume that the first three will be released as part of Volume 1 on December 8, with the final three episodes following December 15.

A lot of creative talent are attached to the making of the docuseries episodes - with two-time Academy Award–nominated and Emmy-winning director Liz Garbus behind the lens. She owns production company The Story Syndicate and was involved in the recent Netflix documentary BRITNEY VS SPEARS. Other notable doumentaries include Becoming Cousteau, Love, Marilyn and What Happened, Miss Simone? - for which she picked up an Emmy.

Executive producers include Erica Sashin, Mark Monroe, Dan Cogan, Ben Browning, Chanel Pysnik, Jon Bardin, Mala Chapple and Angus Wall. 

Where can I watch the Harry and Meghan documentary?

It's been billed as a "Netflix Global Event" which means audiences across the world will be able to watch the Harry and Meghan documentary series on Netflix - no matter what country they're in.

You'll need a Netflix subscription to stream the full series, which will set UK viewers back £6.99 for a basic plan, £11.99 for a standard plan or £15.99 for a premium tier plan. Netflix recently raised their prices in 2022 and there's talk that the streamer might start charging customers who share their passwords too.

Video of the Week

Their relationship is being gently handled by The Crown season 5, but where did it all go wrong and where is Hasnat Khan now? 

The Crown season 5 has exploded back onto screens with an epic season 5, covering an already well chronicled period in Royal history with the usual mesmerising skill viewers have come to expect. With the latest season, the debate rages on with increasingly vehement ferocity, over which aspects of the “fictional dramatisation” are actually real or fake. The relationship between Princess Diana and cardiothoracic surgeon Hasnat Khan, is currently under this level of scrutiny - did it happen as The Crown are depicting it? Read on, as we delve into the real relationship between the Princess and the man she fell for when her marriage fell apart - we uncover why Hasnat Khan ended his relationship with Diana, and where he is now.  

This season's coverage of the Princess Diana Panorama interview is also the subject of intense media focus, especially when her relatives feel it should be buried and not spoken of anymore. The Andrew Morton Princess Diana book is also back in the spotlight - the infamous Diana: Her True Story, is said to be the most accurate account of the late Princess's life in existence. Diana's friend Dr. James Colthurst also had a hand in bringing the book to fruition, but how? We delve into his role in the biography, and who plays him in The Crown.  

Where is Hasnat Khan now?

Hasnat Khan is now 64-years-old and lives in Essex, where he continues to work as a cardiothoracic surgeon at Basildon University Hospital. 

The pair really did date between 1995 - 1997, breaking up just prior to the start of Diana's relationship with Dodi Fayed. He continued to work in London following the death of the Princess, until taking up his post at the Essex Cardiothoracic Centre in 2008. He also partakes in humanitarian work, and has commissioned cardiac centres in Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, and his home country of Pakistan. His profile on Top Doctors suggests that Dr. Khan graduated from King Edward Medical College, Pakistan with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, in 1984. After training in general medicine and general surgery, he was working as a medical officer in cardiology at Mayo Hospital Lahore, Pakistan. 

He relocated to Sydney in 1987, to take up a position as house officer in the area of adult cardiac surgery, before being promoted to fellow. On returning to the UK in 1994, Dr Khan was a registrar in adult cardiac surgery at Leeds Royal Infirmary. After taking up further training in cardiac surgery in and around London, he took up positions in the capital eventually meeting Diana in one of his postings there. In his present job in Essex, he is head of the surgical department, specialising in mitral valve and aortic root surgery. 

Why did Hasnat Khan leave Princess Diana?

Hasnat Khan and Princess Diana’s relationship ended due to the pressures of the intense media scrutiny surrounding their life together. 

According to Vogue, Khan began receiving threats over his relationship with Diana, and began to question the quality of the future they would share. Diana was reportedly wanting to marry him, but he eventually decided he couldn’t go through with a marriage, or even go public with the relationship. He later said to police “My main concern about us getting married was that my life would be hell because of who she was. I knew I would not be able to live a normal life and if we ever had children together, I would not be able to take them anywhere or do normal things with them.”

In July 1997, Khan was staying at Kensington Palace with Diana, the night before she flew to St Tropez to holiday with Mohamed Al-Fayed. Although already faltering over how long he would stay in the relationship due to his feelings over the publicity surrounding it, it appears Diana sensed this and was already preparing to move on. Khan tried to contact her during this holiday, saying “After a few days, I felt something was wrong. I told her I thought something was wrong because of the way she had been acting, but she just said that because of the geography of where she was, she was having problems getting reception on her phone.” The pair met when Diana returned from her holiday, and she denied there was another man in her life. Khan concluded “At the end of our meeting, we arranged to see each other again the following day at Kensington Palace. It was at that second meeting that Diana told me that it was all over between us.”

Shortly after this conversation, Diana then flew to Paris to see Dodi. Her friends later speculated she was still in love with Khan, and using Dodi to make him jealous and realise he still wanted to continue their relationship. She even remained in touch with Khan’s family, giving the impression they were still a couple. It’s alleged that Khan tried to call Diana on the night she died, but was unable to speak to her as she’d changed her number. 

How did Diana meet Hasnat Khan?

Diana met Hasnat khan when visiting her friend Oonagh Shanley-Toffolo’s husband, at the Royal Brompton Hospital in West London where he was working.

Cosmopolitan reports that Khan had been the assistant surgeon in the surgery of Oonagh's husband and was introduced to Diana when offering Oonagh an update on her husband. It’s said that Diana was instantly taken with him, saying “Isn't he drop-dead gorgeous?” The Crown is factual in its depiction that Diana really made nighttime visits to the hospital to see Khan, and would attend public dates with him wearing a disguise. 

Diana was immediately serious about her relationship, and referred to Khan as “Mr. Wonderful”. She even hoped he would find a job outside of the UK, where they could marry and go and live peacefully together. She visited his family in Pakistan, and Khan said of her visits “She really enjoyed her time when she came here. She also enjoyed the afternoon tea she had with my family. And I think she very much liked the Asian family's eccentric culture.” Since Diana’s death, Khan has spoken very little about their relationship, loyally saying “If I had said some things about her before 1997, she could have responded to them but, since she is not here, it would be very unfair to make a comment about her.”

Did Hasnat Khan go to Diana’s funeral?

Yes, Hasnat Khan attended Diana’s funeral at Westminster Abbey, in September 2007. 

Although Khan remains tight-lipped over the relationship, he did speculate over whether the pair would have remained friends should she still be alive. He also maintains compassion and warmth when speaking about her. He said “I think that if Diana were alive today, we would have remained very good friends, whatever she did and whomever she was with. I do not know what Diana was like in other relationships, but she protected me very well, not just from the media but also from a lot of information.”

Speaking about the day they met, Khan recalled “One day I came out of the hospital, and she was going in, and she shouted at me, ‘Oi, where are you going?’ I said I was going to my uncle’s house in Stratford-upon-Avon to collect some books, and I blurted out, ‘Do you want to come?’ She said yes, and that was it, really. We drove up there, drove back and found this wonderful connection. She was very ordinary in many ways, a normal person with great warmth.”

Hasnat Khan: Wife

Hasnat married first wife Hadia Sher Ali, in Pakistan in May 2006. They divorced two years later,and he married Somi Sohail in 2017 - the couple remain together. 

As Khan is so private about his life, not much is known about his current wife. According to the Daily Mail, his father Abdul Rasheed Khan, has spoken out about what his son said about potential marriage to Princess Diana. Khan reportedly said to his family “If I married her [Diana], our marriage would not last for more than a year. We are culturally so different from each other. She is from Venus and I am from Mars. If it ever happened, it would be like a marriage from two different planets.”

Related Netflix Features:

• The Crown Cast: Season 1 to season 5 actor guide and where you've seen them before
• Where was The Crown filmed? Season 1 - 5 filming locations
• When did Charles and Diana separate and divorce?
• Who plays Princess Diana in The Crown? Season 4 and 5 actresses
• Reliving memories in Netflix’s new season of The Crown will be “incredibly hard" for Prince Harry and Prince William, claims royal expert
• Did The Queen watch The Crown? Royal Family reactions
• What Prince Charles really thinks about how he's portrayed in The Crown
• What does Prince Harry think of The Crown?
• Princess Diana's revenge dress: All you need to know ahead of The Crown Season 5
• How did Princess Diana know Imran Khan, and what happened to him?
• Windsor Castle fire: What started it and was the Queen at Windsor Castle when it was on fire?
• When did King Charles marry Camilla Parker Bowles?
• How old was Diana when she got married?
• Who is James Hewitt, is he married and does he have children?
• Is Diana taller than Charles? Princess Diana's height explained
• The Crown Season 5: What really happened between the British Royal Family and the Romanovs?
• Camillagate: The true story behind Charles and Camilla's leaked phone recording

Video of the Week

Season 5 of Netflix's The Crown follows the breakdown of Prince Charles and Princess Diana's marriage, including Charles' affair with Camilla Parker Bowles, leading many to wonder what was in Princess Diana’s divorce settlement.

• Season 5 of The Crown sees Princess Diana ask for £35m as part of her divorce settlement with the then Prince Charles
• As The Crown is known for it's exaggerated storylines, many viewers have been left wondering how much Princess Diana actually received as part of her divorce settlement
• In other royal news, many fans of The Crown are wondering who is Princess Diana’s friend Dr. James Colthurst and who plays him in The Crown?

The Crown's fifth season, despite all the controversy surrounding it, has lit up Netflix screens once more, this time to follow the highly publicised breakdown of Princess Diana and Prince Charles' marriage.  

Set in the 1990's, season five see's Princess Diana, played by Elizabeth Debicki, and Prince Charles, played by Dominic West, as they navigate a royal separation, the then Prince’s affair with Camilla Parker Bowles, and the infamous scandal of Camillagate.

Following their decision to divorce, The Crown shows Princess Diana asking for £35m as part of her divorce settlement. But how true is the storyline? 

It's not too far off, though definitely exaggerated. In reality, when the divorce was finalised in 1996, Diana was reported to have received a lump sum of £17m, plus an additional £400,000 per year.

In addition, Diana was also permitted to keep her title of Princess of Wales, but did have to give up the title of Her Royal Highness. The Queen was allegedly more than happy for Diana to keep the title, but the then Prince Charles was rumoured to have pushed for its removal. 

At the time of their divorce, Buckingham Palace released a statement to say that Diana would continue to be “regarded as a member of the royal family” and “will from time to time receive invitations to state and national public occasions.”

Alongside the divorce settlement, the former royal couple also had to come to an agreement regarding their two children, Prince William and Prince Harry. This decision was said to be a straightforward one, with Charles and Diana both being given equal custody of their sons. The arrangement made the well-established, but unofficial, custody agreement that the pair had been using throughout their four-year long seperation official.

Diana was also allowed to keep her apartment at Kensington Palace, with apartments eight and nine also being entrusted for her exclusive use. She was also allowed to continue using the state apartments at St James’s Palace.

Last, but by no means least, Princess Diana was also allowed continuing access to the royal family’s private jets, with The Independent reporting the decision was made "so she could continue to travel in the style to which she was accustomed."

Related articles:

• Was Diana taller than Charles? Princess Diana's height explained
• Did Charles want the Queen to abdicate? Fact vs fiction in The Crown season 5
• Who was Dodi Fayed's girlfriend before Diana? Introducing Kelly Fisher
• The Crown fans spot awkward blunder in season 5 - did you notice it?
• Princess Diana’s private secretary Patrick Jephson fact-checks The Crown Season 5 and shares what “was made up”

Season five of Netflix's hit royal-drama series The Crown has been embroiled in scandal since the show's first trailer hit screens. From Netflix having to release a statement defending the show to audiences asking if The Crown is true or fake to people wondering what Prince Harry thinks of the show, conversation surrounding the fifth season has been non-stop.

A lot of that conversation currently centres around an event dramatised in the season's fifth episode. Prince Charles, played by Dominic West, and Camilla Parker Bowles, played by Olivia Williams, have a private moment on the phone, away from their families and the prying ears of the public - or so they think. 

Their chat starts out innocently enough with Charles speaking to his lover about an upcoming speech he’s set to deliver in Oxford, with Camilla giving him some much needed reassurance and feedback. However, the call takes a raunchy turn as Charles coos into the receiver, “I wish I could live inside your trousers.”

The private phone call however, is not so private. Somewhere in the English countryside sits a man surrounded by radio and recording equipment who has recognised the posh voices picked up by his device and quickly presses the record button. 

Did Camillagate really happen?

Camillagate really happened, just as is portrayed in season five of Netflix's The Crown. The Crown may be known for it's exaggerated plot points and sensationalisation of historic royal events, but Camillagate really did happen and its plot needed no dramatisation to fit in with The Crown's scandalous storylines.

Much of the conversation that takes place between Prince Charles and Camilla in the show is lifted straight from a transcript of the actual 1989 phone call between the real Charles and Camilla. 

What was Camillagate?

Camillagate was a royal scandal involving the then Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles, in which a 'private' phone call between the two was recorded and leaked, thus proving that the future King was cheating on his then wife, Princess Diana.

In November 1992 British tabloids began reporting that a controversial conversation between Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles had been intercepted and shared with various newspapers across the country. At the time, the Daily Mirror claimed “a tape recording of an intimate phone call between the Prince of Wales and Camilla Parker Bowles has been played to the Daily Mirror.” The Sun also ran a similar story. 

In an odd move for the notoriously scandal-hungry tabloids, both publications opted to keep the full contents of the call private, choosing to instead only allude as to what was said. This likely stems from the fact that, at the time, the recording’s authenticity was very much in question.

Eventually, by January 1993, both national and international newspapers had published the full transcript of the call in all its graphic detail. In addition to the posh male and female voices saying they loved each other, the man also expressed a wish to “live inside your trousers or something,” before joking about turning into a tampon. 

Why was Camillagate so controversial? 

Camillagate was so scandalous and controversial because, as well as the Prince's comments simply being odd things to say no matter if you were saying them to your mistress or not, both Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles were married - the former to the People's Princess, Diana. Prince Charles' dignity was bought into question and, subsequently, people started to question the dignity of the monarchy as a whole.

The phone call proved that all of Charles' friends were not only aware of the affair but complicit in helping the pair conduct it. The six-minute call was ultimately branded "sick" by Princess Diana.

Colin Myler, the editor of the Sunday Mirror at the time, wrote a piece justifying his decision to publish the details of the phone call, saying, “I believe it is wrong that the near nine million readers of this newspaper should be denied the right to read something so important affecting the future King of England, when people in Australia, Germany, America, and Ireland already have.” 

BBC radio summed up public mood best, “If genuine, [it] would be hard to reconcile with the dignity of the monarchy.”

How did Charles and Camilla's phone call get leaked? 

While it was first thought that Charles and Camilla's phone call was intercepted and leaked simply by accident, decades later, investigations uncovered a clear violation of the royal family's privacy. At the time of Camillagate, the source who had recorded the call was said to just be a radio enthusiast who fell onto the frequency of the famed phone call. But questions soon arose.

Soon after rumblings of the nefarious phone call began to be published, in August of 1992, yet another recorded phone call between royals was leaked and published. This time the call featured the loving voices of Princess Diana and James Gilbey, beginning the second royal 'phone call' scandal which is often referred to as either Squidgygate or Dianagate. 

The second leaked phone call forced journalists to ask if something bigger going on here. As written in the Evening Standard at the time, “there has been considerable speculation as to a ‘dirty tricks’ campaign aimed at the Royal Family.” 

While there has never been any hard proof of the scheme that many suspected, decades later, is was decided that there had been a clear violation of the royal family’s privacy when they were making telephone calls. The fact came to light in 2011 when it was revealed that reporters from News of the World had hacked the voicemails of various royals between the years of 2005 to 2007. 

The editors and writers involved in the scheme were arrested and many were convicted, leading the paper to shut down. Still to this day, Prince Harry continues to seek legal action against the outlets he believes participated in this unethical practice.

Related articles:

• Why didn't Queen Elizabeth go to Charles and Camilla's wedding?
• When did Charles and Diana separate and divorce?
• Princess Diana's revenge dress
• Princess Diana's Panorama interview
• Where was The Crown filmed? Season 1 - 6 filming locations
• How did Dodi meet Diana? Their relationship explained ahead of The Crown Season 5
• When did King Charles marry Camilla Parker Bowles?
• Who plays Princess Diana in The Crown?

Eagle-eyed viewers have spotted a glaring spelling error in the first episode of The Crown season five and they’re not happy with the mistake...

Following The Crown season five’s anticipated premiere on Netflix, after nearly a two-year wait, fans have raced to Twitter to point out a very awkward spelling mistake in the very first episode. 

The fifth and penultimate season of The Crown landed on the streaming platform on November 9th, with its storyline focusing on all the royal events that took place in the early 90s. From Princess Diana’s iconic ‘Revenge Dress’ moment and her relationship with Dodi Fayed to Queen Elizabeth II’s 1992 ‘Annus Horribilis’ speech.  And while fans have been blown away by the uncanny acting performances and the stunning costumes, they’ve also been left baffled and disappointed by this glaring spelling error.

In the first episode of the new season, ‘Queen Victoria Syndrome,’ the Queen (played by Imelda Staunton)  is depicted giving a speech at a dairy farm in Warton Lancashire, with a dairy tanker truck in view in the foreground. 

It was on this truck that fans spotted the spelling issue. On the vehicle, the word ‘Morecombe’ can be seen printed on the side, which could be a reference to the nearby seaside town. However, as locals were quick to point out, the town’s name is actually spelled Morecambe, not ‘Morecombe.’

One viewer took to Twitter to point this out, saying, “First episode of The Crown, buzzing that Morecambe was mentioned… then they spelled it wrong.”

While another tweeted, “The Queen's visit to our near neighbour Morecambe in 1991 features in season 5 of The Crown. Shame they didn't spell it correctly.”

“TheCrown couldn’t be more wrong! Zoom in on the truck. That’s not a correct spelling of Morecambe,” a third also wrote.

BBC Lancashire reporter and radio presenter, Graham Liver was also left very unimpressed, writing, “Never mind the historical inaccuracies of The Crown, they’ve spelled Morecambe wrong!”

Other viewers seemed to forgive the spelling mistake and were pleased with the nod, with one Twitter user saying, “Morecambe getting a shoutout on the crown.”

As Diana and the Egyptian billionaire's relationship meets its untimely end in The Crown season 6, audiences want to know who was Dodi Fayed's girlfriend before Diana?

Netflix's top-performing royal series has returned to screens for its sixth and final season and it's expected to climb the Top TV shows list following its premiere.

Following on from the drama that unfolded in season 4, series 5 saw the continued decline in Diana and Charles' relationship and the moment that Dodi Al Fayed meets Diana - a pivotal one setting off the real-life events that led to their relationship and the death of Princess Diana.

Alongside interest in the actress playing Diana in The Crown are questions around Dodi Fayed's girlfriend before Diana - who makes an appearance in the very last episode of season 5 and the first episode of season 6. 

The lady in question caused quite a media frenzy at the time for suggesting that her late boyfriend was getting cosy with Diana whilst the two were still together. We share who she is, plus which actress portrays her in The Crown.

Who was Dodi Fayed's girlfriend before Diana?

Dodi Fayed was dating American model Kelly Fisher before his relationship with Diana. According to Fisher, the two were engaged and had been together for two years, having bought a home together in Malibu, California.

Kelly claims that she learned of Dodi and Diana's romance whilst holidaying on one of his family's yachts in St Tropez, France. She additionally alleges he dumped her via phone call on the same day that Dodi and the royal's relationship was reported by the press. This phone call was recorded by Fisher and later played at a 2007 inquest into Diana's death. 

The model went on to accuse Fayed of two-timing her and Diana at the same time in an interview with the now-defunct News of the World - for which she was paid around £200,000. She told the newspaper how he allegedly juggled seeing both at the same time: "He'd reappear more than four or five hours later without explanation - other than that his father needed him. I now know that it was at that time he was romancing Diana."

A heartbroken Kelly was set to sue Dodi for the end of their relationship in 1997 but dropped the lawsuit following Dodi and Diana's death. 

"Kelly suffered greatly because of the break up with Mr Fayed," said Fisher's attorney Gloria Allred. "She was engaged to him, and they had planned to marry on August 9th 1997. Kelly loved Dodi very much, and she is devastated by his loss and that of Princess Diana. Nothing is more important than the life of a human being. In the light of this enormous tragedy, Kelly forgives Dodi for all of his past injustices against her."

According to AP, Fisher claimed Fayed had offered her half a million dollars to reduce her work commitments so that she could spend more time with him - but only received $60,000. The lawsuit was suing for breach of contract, asking for a sum of $440,000.

Of course, it's worth noting that we only know one side to the story due to the tragic deaths of Dodi and Diana in August 1997. Nevertheless, in the transcript from the phone call recording between Dodi and Fisher - played in court in 2007 - the Egyptian billionaire was noted saying: "Will you stop it? We broke up, Kelly".

A Fayed family spokesman at the time also denied that Fayed ever promised to marry Fisher. Whilst Dodi Al Fayed’s ex-wife Suzanne Gregard has also questioned Fisher's account. In an interview with the Irish Times after his death, she said: "Kelly told me, 'I’ve broken up with him, I’ve had enough'".

Like Diana, Dodi was a one-time divorcee. He wed model Suzanne Gregard in 1986, but the couple divorced just eight months after their nuptials.

Where is Kelly Fisher now?

According to the Express, Kelly Fisher is now married to Russian pilot Mikhail Movshina and resides in Aiken, South Carolina. She is no longer a model and now works as a property developer. Kelly and Mikhail met on a safari in the Central African Republic in 2007. They spent the early years of their relationship in Paris and the French Alps. She now goes by her married name Kelly Movshina and only moved to America when she learnt she was expecting. The couple welcomed a daughter together in 2011 called Alexandra Grace.

In a 2014 interview with Aiken Woman, Fisher revealed that the US move was to prioritise being close to her parents.

"After traveling so much, being close to family is important," she said. "In 2005, my parents retired here [to Aiken] for the beautiful weather and great golf. I had visited them often at Woodside Plantation and loved the small-town charm of Aiken. In 2008 I bought a house here as a vacation home. After learning I was pregnant in 2010 we decided to move here."

The family also owns a 1976 octagonal-shaped treehouse-style home on Hilton Head island - according to Hilton Head Monthly.

The model was 30 when she gave her interview to the News of The World in 1997, which makes her around 56 years old today.

Who plays Dodi Fayed's girlfriend Kelly Fisher in The Crown?

Kelly Fisher is played by British actress Erin Richards in The Crown. The 36-year-old appears as the American model in the last episode of season 5 titled Decommissioned. She also returns as Fisher in episode 1 of season 6 titled Persona Non Grata.

In The Crown, she's introduced as Kelly and referred to as a swimwear model. But it's suggested she's an actress too, with one scene showing Kelly rehearsing lines with Dodi. 

The Welsh actress is best known for appearing in the shows Gotham as Barbara Kean and Breaking In as Molly Hughes. She also had a role in the BBC series Merlin in 2012.

Aside from acting, Richards also co-hosts the podcast Not Not Trying with Tara Bethan which is described as navigating "the weird and wonderful world of baby-making in your late 30’s". Erin confirmed she is expecting her first child whilst walking the red carpet at The Crown season 5 premiere in London.

Dodi Fayed: Relationship history

Before Diana and Fisher, Dodi Fayed was linked to other famous and beautiful women. The Guardian reports that Dodi was linked to "Brooke Shields, Julia Roberts, Marie Helvin, Koo Stark, Britt Ekland, Winona Ryder, Daryl Hannah, Joanne Whalley, Tina Sinatra, Tanya Brier, even Susannah Constantine."

The paper interviewed former model Denise Lewis, now based in Los Angeles, who dated Dodi on and off for five years. She explained what it was that made him so popular:  

"You have a ton of money, there are a bevy of beauties, you just point your finger like that and these girls are like ... There are a lot of girls in this town that are like vultures, I tell you; they go after some men, and Dodi would be a definite catch for many of them."

Reflecting on their time together, Denise added: "It was fun. We went to great places, but I loved going to their country home and going horse riding most. We would go to the south of France and go out on the boat. It was a fairy-tale lifestyle."

For more intel into the true stories behind The Crown, we've revealed why the Queen didn't go to Charles and Camilla's wedding, as well as how old Diana was when she got married and the true story behind Camillagate.

It was attended by 3,500 guests and watched by 750m people around the world, but was Camilla at Charles and Diana's wedding?

They had a brief relationship in the early 70s before Charles met Diana, with Camilla going on to marry Andrew Parker Bowles - while Charles started his life with Diana. It's no secret that he and Camilla remained close friends - even after Charles and Diana got engaged - although author Penny Juror claims Charles didn’t initially reveal the full extent of their relationship. 

Writing in The Duchess: Camilla Parker Bowles and the Affair That Rocked the Crown, Penny said, "Instead of explaining to Diana at the outset that Camilla was an old girlfriend, he had presented her as nothing more than a friend. It didn't occur to him that she needed to know before someone else told her. He came clean after the engagement, admitting that Camilla had been one of his most intimate friends, but reassured Diana that from now on there would be no other women."

Was Camilla at Charles and Diana’s wedding? 

Yes, Camilla was in attendance at Charles and Diana's wedding in 1991. And it's not necessarily a surprise - given that the Queen's son and Camilla were so close.

Diana had her suspicions about Charles and Camilla’s relationship and she confessed to being so obsessed with Camilla that she was the person she looked for as she walked down the aisle. Penny Juror wrote: "[Diana] became jealous - obsessing about Camilla Parker Bowles - turning against people she appeared to like, convinced they were out to get her."

What did Camilla wear to Princess Diana’s wedding?

Diana described Camilla’s outfit for the wedding when speaking to Andrew Morton in 1991. She said, ‘I knew she was there, of course. I looked for her. So walking down the aisle, I spotted Camilla, [she was wearing a] pale grey, veiled pillbox hat. [I] saw it all, her son Tom standing on a chair. To this day, you know - vivid memory.’ 

Why was Camilla at Princess Diana’s wedding? 

As well as her close friendship with Charles, Camilla’s then-husband Andrew Parker Bowles played an important role in Princess Diana’s wedding. As the Commanding Officer of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, he oversaw the ceremonial escort that accompanied Charles and Diana’s carriage during its procession through London. 

But Diana did draw the line when it came to Camilla’s son Tom, Charles’ godson, being in the wedding party. 

Penny said, ‘When it came to choosing her attendants for the wedding, she vetoed Charles' suggestion that Camilla's son, Tom, his godchild, be in the wedding party. She agreed to several of his other godchildren, but there was a big scene about Tom Parker Bowles and Charles backed down.’

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Video of the Week

The Queen's 'annus horribilis' of 1992 takes centre stage in The Crown Season Five, but what exactly does the Latin term mean, and what actually happened in the infamous year? 

If you're anything like us, you've already binge-watched the entirety of The Crown season five and are now researching every scene of the royal drama's new episodes.  From Princess Diana's revenge dress to the Windsor Castle fire and Princess Diana's Panorama interview, there were plenty of shocking royal moments – some fact and some fictional – to dissect after the first viewing of the Netflix series. The fifth series also introduced viewers to a fresh batch of talented newcomers, with acting heavyweights like Imelda Staunton and Dominic West joining The Crown Season Five's cast as the Queen and Prince Charles, respectively. Whilst a famous Australian actress is now playing Diana in The Crown season 5 too - taking over from Emma Corrin's acclaimed stint.

It's no secret that The Crown Season 5 explores the Queen's 'annus horribilis', with Episode 4 even being titled with the Latin term. Her Majesty uttered the phrase herself in November 1992 during a public speech, in reference to the string of misfortunes she'd endured over the last eleven months. Here's everything you need to know about what exactly 'annus horribilis' means, and why Her Majesty used it to describe her painful year. 

What does annus horribilis mean?

'Annus horribilis' is Latin for a disastrous or horrible year, with its first known usage dating back to 1890. It became much more famous though following Queen Elizabeth's speech in 1992.

Its earliest citation in print is from a report in The Guardian, March 1985: "Unlike the earlier Kostelec stories, however, The Engineer of Human Souls was written in exile in Toronto, where he was driven by the annus mirabilis, annus horribilis of 1968."

It was again used in the Sunday Times in 1988 and the Financial Times in 1990, before skyrocketing into mainstream discourse after the Queen first used it in 1992. 

On the flip side, "annus mirabilis", the Latin for 'wonderful year', has been around for centuries. It's understood it was first used in John Dryden's 1667 poem, 'Annus Mirabilis', which detailed the Great Fire of London. 

Why was 1992 called annus horribilis?

The Queen called 1992 an 'annus horribilis' as it was a disastrous year for the Royal Family. Her Majesty endured a litany of hardships over the 12 months, including the collapse of three royal marriages and a devastating fire at Windsor Castle. 

The British monarchy's reputation during this period was also in serious jeopardy, as public concerns for its lavish spending and relevance in a modern world grew in the face of rising social inequality. 

The Queen first used the term 'annus horribilis' on November 24, 1992, during a speech at London Guildhall. 

"1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an annus horribilis," she said, before adding, "I suspect that I am not alone in thinking it so."

What happened in the Queen's annus horribilis?

The Queen's annus horribilis of 1992 was marked by a series of unfortunate events for the monarch, culminating with a devastating fire at her beloved Windsor Castle in Berkshire. 

Caused by a faulty spotlight, the blaze broke out on November 20 and took emergency services over 15 hours to extinguish. Over 100 rooms were destroyed by the fire, including Queen Victoria's chapel and St George’s Hall. The damages cost a whopping £36.5 million to repair. 

The fire at Windsor Castle had been preceded by a year of strained family relations for the Queen, most of which related to her grown children's tumultuous romantic lives. At the beginning of 1992, UK tabloids published photos of her daughter-in-law, the Duchess of York, that linked her to Texas millionaire Steve Wyatt. That March, Sarah Ferguson filed for divorce from Prince Andrew.

In April, Princess Anne divorced from her husband, Mark Phillips, after 19 years of marriage. The couple had been separated since 1989, however, having reportedly both engaged in extramarital romances. In December 1992, Anne married Navy officer, Timothy Laurence, after years of close friendship. 

The most famous royal split to occur in the Queen's annus horribilis, or perhaps ever, was the divorce of Prince Charles and Princess Diana. The couple had endured problems in their marriage ever since their 1981 royal wedding, with the prince's affair with Ms. Camilla Parker Bowles dooming the union from the start. 

Princess Diana was reportedly also unfaithful, dating a number of other men – including army captain James Hewitt – during the marriage. They separated in 1992 after details of their respective affairs started to make headlines news and the truth of their unhappy marriage became impossible for the Royal Family to ignore. Their divorce was finalized in 1996, one year before Princess Diana's tragic death.

The Queen’s Annus Horribilis speech in full

On 24 November 1992, the Queen delivered the following speech at Guildhall in London, to mark the 40th anniversary of her ascension:

My Lord Mayor,

Could I say, first, how delighted I am that the Lady Mayoress is here today.

This great hall has provided me with some of the most memorable events of my life. The hospitality of the City of London is famous around the world, but nowhere is it more appreciated than among the members of my family. I am deeply grateful that you, my Lord Mayor, and the Corporation, have seen fit to mark the fortieth anniversary of my Accession with this splendid lunch, and by giving me a picture which I will greatly cherish.

Thank you also for inviting representatives of so many organisations with which I and my family have special connections, in some cases stretching back over several generations. To use an expression more common north of the Border, this is a real 'gathering of the clans'.

1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an 'Annus Horribilis'. I suspect that I am not alone in thinking it so. Indeed, I suspect that there are very few people or institutions unaffected by these last months of worldwide turmoil and uncertainty. This generosity and whole-hearted kindness of the Corporation of the City to Prince Philip and me would be welcome at any time, but at this particular moment, in the aftermath of Friday's tragic fire at Windsor, it is especially so.

And, after this last weekend, we appreciate all the more what has been set before us today. Years of experience, however, have made us a bit more canny than the lady, less well versed than us in the splendours of City hospitality, who, when she was offered a balloon glass for her brandy, asked for 'only half a glass, please'.

It is possible to have too much of a good thing. A well-meaning Bishop was obviously doing his best when he told Queen Victoria, "Ma'am, we cannot pray too often, nor too fervently, for the Royal Family". The Queen's reply was: "Too fervently, no; too often, yes". I, like Queen Victoria, have always been a believer in that old maxim "moderation in all things".

I sometimes wonder how future generations will judge the events of this tumultuous year. I dare say that history will take a slightly more moderate view than that of some contemporary commentators. Distance is well-known to lend enchantment, even to the less attractive views. After all, it has the inestimable advantage of hindsight.

But it can also lend an extra dimension to judgement, giving it a leavening of moderation and compassion - even of wisdom - that is sometimes lacking in the reactions of those whose task it is in life to offer instant opinions on all things great and small.

No section of the community has all the virtues, neither does any have all the vices. I am quite sure that most people try to do their jobs as best they can, even if the result is not always entirely successful. He who has never failed to reach perfection has a right to be the harshest critic.

There can be no doubt, of course, that criticism is good for people and institutions that are part of public life. No institution - City, Monarchy, whatever - should expect to be free from the scrutiny of those who give it their loyalty and support, not to mention those who don't.

But we are all part of the same fabric of our national society and that scrutiny, by one part of another, can be just as effective if it is made with a touch of gentleness, good humour and understanding.

This sort of questioning can also act, and it should do so, as an effective engine for change. The City is a good example of the way the process of change can be incorporated into the stability and continuity of a great institution. I particularly admire, my Lord Mayor, the way in which the City has adapted so nimbly to what the Prayer Book calls "The changes and chances of this mortal life".

You have set an example of how it is possible to remain effective and dynamic without losing those indefinable qualities, style and character. We only have to look around this great hall to see the truth of that.

Forty years is quite a long time. I am glad to have had the chance to witness, and to take part in, many dramatic changes in life in this country. But I am glad to say that the magnificent standard of hospitality given on so many occasions to the Sovereign by the Lord Mayor of London has not changed at all. It is an outward symbol of one other unchanging factor which I value above all - the loyalty given to me and to my family by so many people in this country, and the Commonwealth, throughout my reign.

You, my Lord Mayor, and all those whose prayers - fervent, I hope, but not too frequent - have sustained me through all these years, are friends indeed. Prince Philip and I give you all, wherever you may be, our most humble thanks.

And now I ask you to rise and drink the health of the Lord Mayor and Corporation of London.

*Source: Royal Family website

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Video of the Week

Princess Diana and Dodi Al-Fayed were in a romantic relationship leading up to their untimely deaths, but royal fans wonder how did Dodi meet Diana?

Princess Diana captured people's hearts when she became the Princess of Wales after marrying husband Prince Charles but their 15-year fairytale marriage ended and when Charles and Diana separated her HRH title was removed. But Diana continued to attract attention in everything she did - from her charity work to her impeccable style.

Her journey is captured in The Crown Season six, Part One airs on Thursday 16th November, with Elizabeth Debecki playing Diana and Khalid Abdalla playing Dodi in The Crown cast and it's not surprising that it wasn't long before a would-be suitor came along, and whisked the Princess off her feet.

But it wasn't all plain sailing for the pair, with Dodi's girlfriend Kelly Fisher making allegations about the two in the press and their untimely deaths that have got fans asking when did Princess Diana die? as they see Prince William deal with his 'mother's death' and where she is buried.

We look at how Dodi met Diana...

How did Dodi meet Diana?

Dodi Al-Fayed first met Princess Diana at a 1996 Polo match in Windsor when her then-husband Prince Charles and Dodi were on opposite teams, according to The Independent. A year later, in 1997, Diana was invited by Dodi's father Mohammed Al-Fayed to spend time on his yacht in St Tropez, in the south of France and it's understood that this is when they really got to know each other.

At the time, Diana was reportedly in a relationship with heart surgeon Hasnat Khan, who later told an inquest that Diana had ended their relationship shortly after meeting Dodi, although at the time she denied the Egyptian film producer and the son of billionaire Mohamed Al Fayed was the reason for their split.

In August 1997, Diana returned to the yacht and it is here that Diana and Dodi were photographed kissing, before flying to Paris together. 

How long were Dodi and Diana together?

Dodi and Princess Diana had only been together for a few months, having only spent a handful of days together before they were both tragically killed in a car crash in Paris, France on 31st August 1997. Having only been together for a short time, there was a lot of interest surrounding their relationship. 

Speaking about filming their final scenes, Elizabeth Debecki teased, "It's quite strange. The images of Diana and Dodi at the Ritz taken from a security camera, it's these images that are imprinted on our collective unconsciousness. So to find yourself replicating them is a very strange experience. Nothing as an actor really prepares you for the layers of emotional ramifications. I experienced that a lot, and I kind of just let it be there. I didn't fight it."

But fans will breathe a sigh of relief to know that the famous Paris car crash that killed Diana and Dodi will not be depicted onscreen due to its great sensitivity.

What was Dodi Fayed cause of death?

Dodi Al-Fayed's cause of death was a result of "gross negligence" on the part of their chauffeur Mr Henri Paul and the Paparazzi, according to the jury in the inquest into Diana and Dodi's deaths. 

Investigations concluded that their driver Henri Paul was driving under the influence of alcohol and prescription drugs, with paparazzi chasing the couple also said to have contributed to the car crash in which the chauffeur-driven Mercedes ran into a pillar in the tunnel under the Pont Alma, and at the time neither Princess Diana nor Dodi were wearing a seatbelt. 

In other royal news, you might be wondering, who plays Princess Diana in The Crown?, what happened to Princess Diana's bodyguard? and Princess Diana and Imran Khan how do they know each other?

Season 5 sees brand new character Penny Knatchbull introduced to the Royal saga, leaving viewers wondering who she is - we have the lowdown.

After waiting just shy of two years for The Crown season 5 to land on Netflix, the wait is finally over. The usual extra time is needed to watch a single episode, caused by the inevitable pausing the show to search if an event really did happen, and absolutely everything about it. Fans can’t get enough of the chaotic Royals, and watching their lives unfold in a long and luxurious series of episodes is ultimate TV viewing. Although the cast of the hit series changes every two years to reflect the aging dynasty, occasionally new characters are added to the lineup. For season 5, Prince Philip’s friend and newly introduced Penny Knatchbull is subject to the pause and search phenomenon the show induces. To help with this, we have everything you need to know about Penny Knatchbull, and the actress who plays her.  

While viewers research the real circumstances surrounding events depicted in the show, the debate continues around how much of The Crown is true or fake - celebrities continue to weigh in on the argument. Such is the intensity of speculation surrounding the truth of the series, Netflix released a statement defending The Crown as a dramatisation of historical events. While some fans ask did the Queen watch The Crown, Prince Philip himself made his feelings on it very clear - his answer when asked if he'd seen it, is just what you'd expect.

Who is Prince Philip’s friend Penny Knatchbull?

Penny Knatchbull’s official title is Penelope Meredith Mary Knatchbull, Countess Mountbatten of Burma. She was a lifelong friend and confidante to Prince Philip. Her mother Patricia Knatchbull was third cousin to the Queen. 

She was born Penelope Meredith Mary Eastwood in London, and is the only daughter of Angus Steakhouse founder Reginald Eastwood. She grew up and attended schools in Switzerland, until leaving to study at the London School of Economics. According to People, Penny was known as the "keeper of secrets" for Prince Philip, with a close friendship forming immediately, when the pair met in 1974. 

Although there was a 32-year age gap between Penny and the Prince, the 2020 biography Prince Philip Revealed penned by Ingrid Seward, claimed Penny was “second-most important woman in the Duke of Edinburgh's life - a constant confidante, and loyal companion.” The book also weighed on a dance the two shared at a ball, with the author describing "When I saw Philip and Penny gilding around the dance floor at the Royal Yacht Squadron Ball during Cowes Week, neither of them gave a damn who saw them or what anyone might say”.

Penny and Philip frequently took part in carriage driving competitions together, and she became a frequent visitor to the Royal Windsor Horse Show as a guest of the Royals. She was one of only 30 mourners in attendance at Philip’s funeral April 17, 2021 as numbers were severely restricted due to COVID-19 regulations. She was also present at the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on September 19, 2022.

Penny Knatchbull: Husband

Penny Knatchbull’s husband is Norton Louis Philip Knatchbull, 3rd Earl Mountbatten of Burma - he was Prince Philip’s godson. 

The pair married in 1979, with Prince Charles acting as best man. Their wedding took place just two months after the death of Norton's grandfather Lord Mountbatten, who was murdered by the IRA. The event, covered in an earlier season of The Crown, saw the Earl lose his brother Nicholas and grandmother, Lady Brabourne, when a bomb was planted on the family's fishing boat on a trip to County Sligo.

Until 2005, Norton was known as Lord Romsey, and until 2017 as The 8th Baron Brabourne. He was educated at the Dragon School in Oxford, and later Gordonstoun in Scotland - the school Prince Charles famously despised. After graduating from University of Kent, Norton followed his father into the film industry working as a location manager. He is a descendant of Queen Victoria - his maternal great-great-grandmother Princess Alice was Queen Victoria’s daughter. Norton is also godfather to William, the Prince of Wales. 

Is Penny Knatchbull still married?

Penny Knatchbull remains married to Norton Knatchbull, despite him allegedly having an affair between 2010 - 2014.

It is believed Norton even left Penny for a time to be with his mistress. However, he has reportedly been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and has returned to the family home of Broadlands in Hampshire. He has not been seen publicly for several years. 

According to Cosmopolitan, the latest season of The Crown is set to depict Penny and Philip in "in intimate scenes", and pursuing an affair together. Those close to Penny are said to be angry at this portrayal, with the Queen’s former press secretary Dickie Arbiter saying "coming just weeks after the nation laid Her Majesty to rest next to Prince Philip, this is very distasteful and, quite frankly, cruel rubbish. The truth is that Penny was a long time friend of the whole family. Netflix is not interested in people’s feelings". 

Penny Knatchbull: Daughter Leonora Knatchbull

Penny Knatchbull sadly lost a daughter, Leonora, to kidney cancer at the age of 5. She has one surviving daughter, Lady Alexandra Victoria Edwina Diana Knatchbull. She also has a son, Nicholas Louis Charles Norton Knatchbull, Lord Brabourne.

Leonora Knatchbull was the third and youngest child of Penny and Norton, born on June 25, 1986. Tragically, Leonora developed kidney cancer, and passed away at the age of five at St. Bartholomew's Hospital on October 22, 1991. She is buried at her family's estate of Broadlands in Hampshire, and in 1994, Norton and Penelope set up Leonora Children's Cancer Fund in her memory. 

Lady Alexandra was born on 5 December 1982, and her godmother was Princess Diana. She married PCEO of Third Space Learning Thomas Hooper, on 25 June 2016. They have two sons together, Inigo Norton Sebastian Mountbatten Hooper (born December 21, 2017) and Alden Peter Theodore Mountbatten Hooper (born March 27, 2020).

Who plays Penny Knatchbull in The Crown season 5?   

Penny Knatchbull is played by Natascha McElhone in The Crown season 5. The 50-year-old actress is best known for appearances in The Truman Show, and Designated Survivor. 

Speaking to Radio Times about her character's relationship with Philip role on the iconic show, McElhone said "Well, I’m loath to say, because I hope it’s on the screen. I think that’s the point of the exploration, probably. What I loved about it is we so rarely see a man and a woman on screen who have a deep friendship where romance is not alluded to. The richness of those friendships, that loyalty. Our story starts because he really sees her when she’s in deep pain and in grief, and he reaches out a hand and gives her a nudge back into life".

She added "There’s a strange assumption that as soon as you see a man and a woman together, you assume that they’re romantically involved, so that exploration felt really appropriate. It’s being looked at as a wild idea, but what happens if they’re just friends. I don’t want to put 'just' in front of it, because friends can be everything. So that was the way I approached it".

Related Netflix Features:

• The Crown Cast: Season 1 to season 5 actor guide and where you've seen them before
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• Diana Panorama interview: What did she say, did Diana regret it and how did Martin Bashir get the interview?
• Where is Martin Bashir now - and why was the Princess Diana interview so controversial?
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Video of the Week

Was he a friend of the Princess, or did they have a relationship? We take a look at what happened between Princess Diana and Imran Khan.

The Crown season 5 release of November 9 has finally arrived, and with it the expected speculation about the tangled lives of its main characters - the Royals. This season is set to pick up in 1991, covering the next half of the turbulent decade for the Queen and her misbehaving family. Taking centre stage, will be the breakdown of Charles and Diana’s relationship and its subsequent monumental fallout. With the People’s Princess once again in sharp focus of the public’s attention, intrigue surrounding her fascinating private life has made a huge resurgence. With fans asking about Diana’s relationship with Imran Khan, which coincides with a shocking recent incident in his own life, read on to find out all you need to know about the pair. 

For those unsure of who plays Princess Diana in The Crown season 5, we have everything there is to know about the actress, and her season 4 predecessor. The new season features the new Diana actress recreating the infamous revenge dress scene - take a look at some sneak peek images of The Crown's version of the head-turning dress. With Diana's tragic demise also back in the spotlight, attention has turned to her bodyguard at the time of her death, Trevor Rees-Jones. Find out what happened to him, and where he is now.

How did Princess Diana know Imran Khan?

Diana briefly dated heart surgeon Hasnat Khan, who was a distant cousin of former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan. Diana became friends with Imran and his wife Jemima Khan through the relationship. 

Imran Khan was Prime Minister of Pakistan between August 2018 and April 2022. He had enjoyed a previous career as a cricket player on the Pakistan national team. He married the daughter of financier Sir James Goldsmith and Lady Annabel Goldsmith, in 1995 - both were good friends with Diana. Jemima converted to Islam before the wedding, and the couple share two sons, Sulaiman Isa and Kasim. They split in 2004, and Jemima has now reverted to her maiden name. 

Diana visited Jemima and Imran in Pakistan twice, in 1996 and 1997, to spend time with the couple and help raise funds for cancer hospitals Imran founded in Lahore and Peshwar. It was reported that Jemima had been brought on board season 5 of The Crown to advise on the portrayal of Diana’s life, but later pulled out. According to Tatler, Jemima was unhappy with the portrayal of her friend, saying her story was not being handled “as respectfully or compassionately as I had hoped”.

Despite previously refusing to make public comment on her friendship with Diana, Jemima Khan said she was happy to take part when asked to help write the fifth series of the hit show in 2019. She said “it was really important to me that the final years of my friend’s life be portrayed accurately and with compassion, as has not always happened in the past”. However, she clearly feels despite her input, the accuracy and compassion remained lacking, and withdrew from the project.

Did Princess Diana have a relationship with Imran Khan?

Princess Diana didn’t have a relationship with Imran Khan, only with his distant cousin, heart surgeon Hasnat Khan.

Princess Diana began her relationship with Dr. Hasnat Khan in September 1995, trying her best to keep the relationship private. It is widely thought the surgeon was the love of Diana’s life, whom she referred to as “Mr. Wonderful.” Diana’s butler Paul Burrell has also said in interviews that Diana would describe Khan as her soulmate.

Khan has refused to speak publicly about their relationship, only giving a statement to the police about it during the 2004 inquest into Diana’s death which was read in court. According to Vogue, part of his statement read “I found her a very normal person with great qualities,” admitting he ended the relationship because he was fearful of the publicity it would bring, despite wanting to marry her. He was present at her funeral in Westminster Abbey in September 1997. 

Who was Imran Khan married to?

Jemima Goldsmith was Khan’s first wife. When that relationship ended in 2004, he married Reham Khan in 2014. When his second marriage ended, he married Bushra Bibi in 2018, to whom he remains married.

Khan’s second wife Reham Nayyar Khan is a British-Pakistani journalist, author, and filmmaker. She began her career in 2006 hosting shows on Legal TV, and presenting for Sunshine Radio Hereford and Worcester. By 2008, she was working as a weather girl for the BBC. In 2013, Khan went to work in Pakistan, joining news channel News One, and later Aaj TV. 

Throughout 2015 she hosted her own show, The Reham Khan Show, celebrating Pakistani heroes. After divorcing Imran shortly after they married in 2015, the memoir of her life published just prior to the 2018 Pakistani general election resulted in speculation the contents were intended to sabotage Imran Khan's run for Prime Minister.  

Little is known about Imran Khan’s current wife Bushra Bibi. Their marriage took place six months before he took up his position as Prime Minister, and she had previously been married to a senior customs official with whom she had five children. She is said to hail from central Punjab, from a conservative and politically influential family. 

 Imran Khan: Shooting

On 3 November 2022, Imran Khan was shot in an assassination attempt in Wazirabad, Punjab, during a protest march against the government. He had three bullets removed from his leg.

The former Pakistani Prime Minister was shot when the vehicle he was travelling in was hit by gunfire. One person was killed in the attack, and five others were injured. The protest was in aid of calling an early election in the country and there was no immediate reason offered for the assassination attempt. According to the BBC, one of Khan’s senior aides has accused the Pakistani government of being "directly involved" in the attack.

Raoof Hasan continued to say the government was "attempting to eliminate [Imran Khan] physically". When speaking to CNN about these claims, Imran Khan appeared to agree with his aide. He said “They took out three bullets from my right leg. The left had some shrapnel which they’ve left inside. They tried everything to somehow get me out of the way. When that didn’t happen, this was planned”.

Who shot Imran Khan?

The lone assailant is yet to be named, but remains in police custody. The police have released a video of the man confessing to the attack.

According to the BBC, when asked in the video why he opened fire, the man simply replies “He was misguiding the people. I wanted to kill him. I tried to kill him”. The march led by Khan was named the  "Haqeeqi Azadi Long March", or anti-government rally. It was due to begin from Lahore and conclude in Islamabad. 

The attacker claims he is affiliated to any militant or terrorist outfit, and acted alone. However, it is unclear under which conditions he offered the confession, and there are calls for it to be verified. Khan remains stable, and the investigation into the attack continues.

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Video of the Week

Friends of the late Princess Diana have spoken out against Netflix show The Crown ahead of its season five release, calling the show's creators ‘entitled’ and ‘insensitive’ for recreating Princess Diana's last living moments

• Friends of the late Princess Diana have spoken out after claims that the cast of crew of Netflix's The Crown were spotted filming scenes in a black Mercedes just 100 yards from the Alma tunnel, Paris
• The Alma tunnel is where Princess Diana tragically died in 1997
• The royal news follows claims that reliving memories in Netflix’s new season of The Crown will be “incredibly hard" for Prince Harry and Prince William

Netflix's royal drama, The Crown is full of scandal, but as the fifth season gets ready to air, that scandal appears to be slipping off screen and into real life. The latest in a series of backlash, close friends of the late Princess Diana have spoken out against the show as Netflix's plans to depict the moments leading up to her death have been revealed.

The criticism came after reports that the show had been filming scenes where Elizabeth Debicki, the actress who plays the late Diana, could be seen in a black Mercedes just 100 yards from the Alma tunnel, Paris - where Princess Diana was tragically killed in a car accident in 1997. 

The new trailer for The Crown's upcoming fifth series, which will be released on the 9th of November 2022, shows yet more of Princess Diana's most vulnerable moments being recreated. The trailer shows that the upcoming season plans to focus on the breakdown of the late princess' and the now King Charles' marriage, including Diana's infamous and highly controversial Panorama interview.

While Netflix bosses have confirmed that the "exact moment" of the fatal crash will not be shown on screen, those close to the late princess still see it as a violation. 

Diana's astrologer, Debbie Frank, feels that the release of the Netflix series will be 'terrible' for Prince William and Prince Harry to process, dubbing the show's creators as 'insensitive' and 'entitled.'

She told the Mail, "It's obviously terrible for Diana's children to have to see that again. It's insensitive. I feel Diana's death and the crash was the biggest shock our generation. It had such a huge impact across the national psyche.

“I guess the makers of The Crown feel they are entitled to show a re-enactment of scenes leading up to her death and that it has dramatic impact. But relatives would think otherwise."

Debbie's comments follow those of another close friend of Diana's, who claimed that the mere existence of the Netflix series forced Prince William and Harry to relive "the most painful time" of their lives.

Simone Simmons told The Sun, "These are cruel, sadistic and wicked people to recreate these moments. They are the lowest of the low. They are rewriting history as they go along and that’s what makes me very angry."

Simone went on to ask why "these callous, insensitive people" would ever feel the need to recreate "that horrible day" on screen.

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With the latest season set to include the death of the Princess of Wales, viewers want to know who plays Princess Diana in The Crown. 

For those wondering what to watch in November, Netflix has got you covered with the return of one of its most popular shows. The Crown season returns on Thursday 16 November, while a second instalment of episodes lands on the streaming service on 14 December 2023. And with a large part of the season focussing on how Dodi met Diana, their romantic relationship and the princess' tragic death, it's got many wanting to know who plays Princess Diana in the popular series. 

Some fans will have noticed that the actress who plays the Princess of Wales changed between season four and five. Previously played by Emma Corrin, producers recast the iconic royal for the fifth season in light of her older age. And just like we've looked at who plays Kate Middleton in The Crown, we've also revealed the actress who plays Princess Diana in season six...

Who plays Princess Diana in The Crown season 6?

Princess Diana is played by Elizabeth Debicki in The Crown season six, with the talented Australian actress resuming her role following on from her successful season five stint. 

Speaking about reprising the role, which follows the lead-up to the death of Princess Diana on August 31, 1997, Elizabeth told Netflix's Tudum, “It's a really unique challenge as an actor to portray those days.”

As seen in the new trailer, season six picks up as Diana heads to the south of France to spend the summer with her sons Prince William and Prince Harry, having accepted an invitation from Mohamed Al-Fayed (Salim Daw). In the voiceover, Elizabeth as Diana says, “I don’t really know how I ended up here: dashing around and losing sight of myself in the process. You know I think that’s been the story of my whole life.” 

The paparazzi interest grows and Elizabeth recreates one of the photographs Diana is best remembered for, as she sits alone on the edge of the yacht’s diving board wearing a blue swimsuit.

Elizabeth recalled, “There was just something about that swimsuit and re-creating that moment that felt very sacred and important. In a way, it reminded me a little bit of when we shot the revenge dress [in Season 5]. It’s as close as possible to the real imagery, and yet what I get to do as an actress is enter into that space and get to discover what’s emotionally in that moment.”

And speaking about diving into those difficult weeks for Diana, having undergone movement and speech training, she said, “It was like coming home. It’s a thrill because it was much less recall, it almost felt more normal.”

Elizabeth was just seven years old when Princess Diana died, but she can still recall the time. “I was seven when it happened. I have a very distinct memory of watching the funeral when I was a kid and watching the two princes. My mother was devastated and I was trying to process.”

And she acknowledged her part now in ensuring she celebrates Diana’s life as well as doing justice to her death.

She added, “For me, one of the things that felt so important - because we know where the story is going - is to make sure that there was real joy and happiness and lightness and genuine fun on the screen. That was really the piece I felt that I could control in a way, and that became a real focus.”

She also revealed who made her happier on set, it was her on-screen sons Prince William (Rufus Kampa) and Prince Harry (Fflyn Edwards), “They’re really beautiful kids. They’re very smart and they’re funny, and they’re very kind - I was genuinely so much happier when they were on set and I had scenes with them.”

Elizabeth will say goodbye to the series, and she has fondly looked back on what she will miss the most, “I really will miss playing this role. There have been so many tumultuous and painful bits of storytelling that I’ve had to do, but also it’s so vivid and there’s so much beauty there and there’s so much love and there’s so much desire to connect to people. It’s not something that you can do in everyday life.”

Who plays Princess Diana in The Crown season 5? 

Elizabeth Debicki also plays Princess Diana in The Crown Season 5. Best known for her roles in The Great Gatsby and Tenet, at the time the 32-year-old said in 2020 that it was her "true privilege" to accept the role, adding, "Princess Diana's spirit, her words and her actions live in the hearts of so many." 

Ahead of the season five premiere, Elizabeth was quick to defend The Crown's writers when asked about the controversy surrounding the shows. representation of the Royal Family.

"I'll say that Peter and the entire crew of this job do their utmost to really handle everything with such sensitivity and truth and complexity, as do actors," she told Entertainment Weekly. "The amount of research and care and conversations and dialogue that happen over, from a viewer's perspective, something probably that you would never ever notice is just immense. From that very first meeting [with] Peter, I knew that I'd entered into this space where this was taken seriously [in] a deeply caring way. So that's my experience of the show."

Events depicted in The Crown season five include the late Queen Elizabeth's annus horribilis in 1992 as well as the breakdown of Charles and Diana's marriage and a dramatisation of Princess Diana's Panorama interview with Martin Bashir.

Who is Elizabeth Debicki?

Elizabeth Debicki is an Australian actress who previously has appeared in The Great Gatsby, Guardians of the Galaxy and BBC's The Night Manager, though she is best known for her role in The Crown. 

Born in Paris in 1990 to a Polish father and an Australian mother, Elizabeth Debicki was exposed to the world of the performance arts from a young age. She followed in her parent's footsteps by training to be a ballet dancer, only to switch careers to pursue acting instead. She enrolled in the Victorian College of the Arts in 2008, graduating with a degree in drama in 2010. 

In 2011, she made her first film debut, starring in the Australian comedy, A Few Best Men, as a secretary. It was 2012, however, that truly catapulted Debicki to stardom. The talented actor was cast in Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby, appearing alongside Tobey MacGuire, Carey Mulligan, and Leonardo DiCaprio in the historical romantic drama. 

Her portrayal of the mysterious Jordan Baker earned Debicki an abundance of positive reviews, with many critics hailing her performance as one of the best to feature in the movie. She even won an AACTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, solidifying her as one-to-watch at the awards circuit. 

After her breakthrough role in The Great Gatsby, Debicki was (understandably) in high demand on the Hollywood scene. She went on to star in Guy Ritchie's The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and The Burnt Orange Heresy with Mick Jagger, as well as the Guardian of the Galaxy film series. In 2018, she appeared on-screen in a whopping four films - The Tale, The Cloverfield Paradise, Widows and Vita & Virginia - and lent her voice to the character of Mopsy Rabbit in the animated 3D movie, Peter Rabbit. 

Before landing the role of Princess Diana in The Crown season five and six, she starred in Christopher Nolan's Tenet alongside Robert Pattison.

Who played Princess Diana in The Crown season 4? 

Emma Corrin played Princess Diana in The Crown season four. As is tradition with the Netflix royal series, the characters are replaced as time moves on, to accurately reflect their appearances at an older age, hence Emma's absence from season five and six of the show. 

And it seems they weren't too keen on playing Diana as her story became darker, telling the New Yorker in 2021 that they're "grateful" they don't have to film her tragic death scene. "I know how attached I feel to the person I played," Emma admitted. "I feel very protective over her."

Who is Emma Corrin and where is she now?

Emma Corrin has become one of the UK's most famous young actors, having previously appeared in films including My Policeman and Lady Chatterly's Lover. They will also be appearing in new FX film A Murder at the End of the World and Deadpool 3. 

Born in Tunbridge Wells on December 13 1995, the Kent native found thei love for the performing arts while studying at the private Woldingham School for girls in Surrey. They took a gap year after graduating to complete a Shakespeare course at the prestigious London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), before heading to the University of Bristol to study drama. Emma decided to leave Bristol, however, after discovering its course was too focused on theory. 

Instead, they moved to Cambridge in 2015 to pursue a degree in Education, English, Drama, and the Arts, where they ended up feeling more comfortable despite having "never been the academic one" in their friendship group.  

Emma made their film debut in 2017, playing Mica in the 40-minute-long digital flick, Cesare. They also starred in the ITV mystery series, Grantchester, before landing a more prominent role as nightclub dancer Esme Winikus in the US TV series, Pennyworth. 

Emma first auditioned for the role of Princess Diana in The Crown when they were studying at Cambridge, after being asked to run lines for a “chemistry” reading to find the right actor to play Camilla Parker Bowles. After being impressed with their reading of Diana's lines, The Crown's creator, Peter Morgan, asked them to go away and work on developing the character further. 

Eight months later, they received a call asking if they would like to audition for the role of Princess Diana in The Crown Season four - and this time, for real. As for how they prepared, Emma told Glamour in November 2020 that they 'only watched the documentary Diana: In Her Own Words.'

"I didn’t watch another documentary. I don’t think I would have got the part without it," they said. "Honestly. I watched it before I did any audition. I haven’t watched it in about a year, but it still comes up every day on my Netflix: 'You wanna watch this again?' It’s a phenomenal thing, and honestly, for research purposes, you don’t need much more, because it is her, talking about her life, overlaid with footage. It’s everything." 

Emma received critical acclaim for their performance as Princess Diana in The Crown Season four, winning a Golden Globe and gaining nominations for several other awards. 

For more details on The Crown, we've revealed the real events behind the series - including where Mohamed Al-Fayed is now, where Diana's bodyguard, Trevor Rees-Jones is now and when Charles and Camilla got married. 

The Crown season 5 is coming out sooner than you think! We reveal the confirmed release date and stellar cast signed up to appear as the next breed of royals in the hit Netflix drama.

It's been a long old wait for fans of The Crown and the upcoming fifth season. Season 4 dropped to high praise and fanfare in November 2020 and for the past two years audiences have been slowly drip fed details of the next installment. First came confirmation of the new The Crown cast members taking over the respective royal roles on screen - and in August 2021 we were treated to our first glimpse of Imelda Staunton as the Queen on set.

Fast forward a year and September 2022 brought news of a release date. And as we inch closer to it arriving on screens, producers treated fans to an epic The Crown season 5 trailer in October, with a whole 2 and a half minutes of action to feast our eyes on. With just a few weeks to go now, we share the all important details of when The Crown season 5 is coming out, plus details of cast and story timelines. 

When is The Crown season 5 coming out?

The Crown season 5 will be released at 8am on November 9, 2022. From this date all episodes will be available to stream exclusively on Netflix.

A November 2022 release date was first confirmed by new cast member Imelda Staunton back in September 2021. The actress, sat at a desk on the set of the fifth series shared the release date in the style of the Queen's annual Christmas Day message. It wasn't until September 24, 2022 - that the official date was confimed as November 9.

According to Deadline, production of the beloved Netflix show was not affected by the pandemic. With the cast and crew able to follow the same production schedule that was in place for prior seasons.

Imelda Staunton was spotted in her new role in the Netflix series back in July 2021 and fans were additionally given a first-look of Prince Charles and Princess Diana in the show during filming that same summer. 

Official first look images - coutresy of Netflix - were kept under wraps for some time, only being released in October of this year as anticipation builds for it's release. The trailer then followed on November 20 and it's safe to say that the response was overwhelmingly positive from fans.

How many episodes of The Crown season 5?

There is likely to be 10 episodes in The Crown season 5. The previous four series have each had 10 episodes each. And it is expected that the same number will apply to series 5 and 6.

Each episode will last around 60 minutes in length - as is the precedent with episodes from the show's previous seasons.

What time period will The Crown season 5 cover?

The Crown season 5 time period will carry on where season 4 ended - in the 1990s. The noughties was a decade packed with royal drama surrounding key figures like Princess Diana and Princes Charles, as well as the Queen herself.

Audiences are expected to see a new Prime Minister in this time period too. John Major replaced Margaret Thatcher at Downing Street in 1990. He stayed in office till 1997 when his successor, Tony Blair, took over.

Each season of The Crown typically centres on a ten or 12-year period, with series four following the events from 1977 to 1990. This included the arrival of Diana and her wedding to Charles. And it is thought their relationship will be further explored in season 5.

Who will play Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown season 5?

Veteran British stage and screen actress Imelda Staunton will play the Queen in season 5. She replaces Olivia Colman as the monarch and main character.

You may recognise Imelda for her roles in Harry Potter, Nanny McPhee, Shakespeare in Love and Cranford. She's also married to Downton Abbey's Mr Carlson (Jim Carter) in real life.

Staunton recently told BBC's Woman Hour her fears on playing such a well-known and well-loved figure. "I think my sort of extra challenge, as if I needed it, is that I'm now doing the Queen that we're a little more familiar with," she says. "With Claire Foy, it was almost history and now I'm playing one that people could say 'she doesn't do that,' 'she's not like that,' and that's my personal bête noire."

Who will play Prince Philip in season 5 of The Crown?

Welsh actor Jonathan Pryce will take over from season four's Tobias Menzies as the Duke of Edinburgh.

The 73-year-old actor boasts an impressive acting portfolio, having starred in Evita, Pirates of the Caribbean, Game of Thrones and earning recognition for a number of leading stage roles. Jonathan was also nominated for an Oscar last year for his portrayal of Pope Francis in The Two Popes.

No doubt fans will find watching Pryce's Philip in the new series a bittersweet experience, following the Duke of Edinburgh's death in April 2021. It was recently revealed that the late Prince Philip was upset by The Crown and their portrayal of his childhood.

Jonathon admitted that the prospect of playing the Duke of Edinburgh is "daunting", but he is "delighted" to be working with Netflix again.

The Crown season 5 cast: Full list

• Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth II
• Lesley Manville as Princess Margaret
• Jonathan Pryce as Prince Philip
• Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana
• Dominic West as Prince Charles
• Claudia Harrison as Princess Anne
• Jonny Lee Miller as John Major
• Olivia Williams as Camilla Parker Bowles
• Flora Montgomery as Norma Major
• Marcia Warren as The Queen Mother
• James Murray as Prince Andrew
• Sam Woolf as Prince Edward
• Bertie Carvel as Tony Blair
• Humayun Saeed as Dr. Hasnat Khan
• Timothy Dalton as Peter Townsend
• Lydia Leonard as Cherie Blair
• Natascha McElhone as Penelope Knatchbull
• Senan West and Timothee Sambor as Prince William 
• Teddy Hawley and Will Powell as Prince Harry

New faces will take on the roles of the Royal Family in season 5, in what has become custom for the Netflix series. After every two seasons the cast is refreshed and replaced by more mature actors who are better suited to portray the ageing monarch and her children.

Fans were sad to see Claire Foy and Matt Smith depart after heading up the first two series as her Majesty and Prince Philip respectively. Though they soon embraced their season 3 and season 4 replacements - Olivia Colman and Tobias Menzies - as the two heads of the institution.

The Crown producers have revealed the new acting talent for season 5 and 6, with audiences no doubt familiar with a few British faces.

What key events will happen in The Crown season 5?

Though no official synopsis has been shared, we're expecting a number of key events from the 1990s to take place in Season 5 - in particular the end of several of the Queen's children's relationships.

Season four set the stage for the separation of Princess Diana and Prince Charles. The couple announced their separation in 1992 and officially divorced in August 1996.

1992 also saw two other divorce announcements - Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips (April 1992). Plus Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson (March 1992). It is thought the ending of these royal relationships will be key events in season five.

The Queen famously dubbed 1992 her "annus horribilis" with a huge fire at Windsor Castle breaking out and resulting in millions of pounds worth of damage. It is likely Peter Morgan will cover this key event in series five too.

Other national key events that could happen in The Crown season 5 is the start of the Gulf War (January 1991), the Queen's Ruby Jubilee (February 1992),  the IRA bombings of London stations (February 1991) and the arrival of Tony Blair at Downing Street (May 1997).

Is there a season 6 of The Crown?

Yes there will be a sixth series of The Crown and this will be the last season of the hit Netflix show. Filming for the sixth season is currently underway.

The show's creator Peter Morgan initially said that season 5 would be the show's last series. However, in July 2020, Netflix confirmed that there will be a sixth and final season for fans to look forward to (hurrah).

In the Netflix announcement, Peter said: "As we started to discuss the storylines for Series 5, it soon became clear that in order to do justice to the richness and complexity of the story we should go back to the original plan and do six seasons."

Producers have also confirmed that season 6 will deal with the death of Princess Diana. Though the show won't be re-enacting the crash scene out of respect. In a statement to the Daily News, Netflix clarified: "[Season 6] will not depict the crash, contrary to some reports," adding that instead, "it will be scenes covering the lead-up to, and [the] aftermath."

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Video of the Week

The release of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Netflix series has reportedly been pushed back to 2023 with the streaming service currently facing backlash over its upcoming season of The Crown.

• Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Netflix series is now not expected to be released until next year.
• Season five of The Crown has been criticised in light of reports that a storyline in the new series will depict King Charles discussing the Queen's abdication in the 1990s. 
• In other royal news, Prince William and Kate Middleton are reportedly set for another move. 

With Netflix having released a statement following backlash over the upcoming release of The Crown season five, it's been claimed that the streaming service has postponed the release of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's home docu-series. 

According to Deadline, Netflix are 'rattled' by the criticism over the new season which came in light of reports that the programme will depict King Charles complaining to Prime Minister John Major about the Queen not abdicating in 1991. 

A spokesperson for John Major shared a statement to deny that such a conversation had never happened between him and King Charles, dubbing it a "barrel-load of nonsense". 

"Sir John has not co-operated in any way with The Crown. Nor has he ever been approached by them to fact-check any script material in this or any other series," the statement shared with The Times added. 

Responding to the backlash, Netflix stated, "Series five is a fictional dramatisation, imagining what could have happened behind closed doors during a significant decade for the royal family – one that has already been scrutinised and well-documented by journalists, biographers and historians."

The attention surrounding the series has allegedly meant that Harry and Meghan's series has taken a back seat, with the insight into their home and work life in Montecito, California being pushed back from the end of the year to 2023.

In the wake of Queen Elizabeth II’s death, Meghan and Harry’s Netflix docu-series could reportedly face major changes and delays.

• Despite being earmarked for release in December 2022, Prince Harry and Meghan’s long-awaited series could be set to be 'shelved'.
• The couple are apparently ‘panicked’ over the docu-series tone and are said to be pushing for edits to ensure it is respectful.
• This royal news comes after it was revealed that King Charles is ‘set to pay rent’ to Prince William since taking the throne.

After signing their multi-million dollar deal with Netflix, Prince Harry and Meghan’s docu-series was scheduled for release in December. However, reports now suggest that the project could be shelved ‘indefinitely’ as the couple are pushing to make extensive changes.

The anticipated series was set to air following the release of The Crown season five, but now, just months before the prospective release date, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are said to be having ‘second thoughts' over its contents. 

Sources claim that the couple is trying to 'walk back content' in the wake of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II’s death to ensure the tone is respectful.

Page Six has reported that the documentary is thought to contain ‘truth bombs’ involving King Charles, the Queen Consort and even the Prince and Princess of Wales - with one source claiming, “Harry and Meghan are having second thoughts on their own story, on their own project."

Another also claimed that, "Harry and Meghan are panicked about trying to tone down even the most basic language. But it’s their story, from their own mouths.”

The publication also cited a Netflix source who alleged, “They’ve made significant requests to walk back content they themselves have provided - to the extent that some Netflix staff believe, if granted, it will effectively shelve the project indefinitely,” before adding, “Netflix is standing by the filmmakers.” 

The insider then also remarked, “Netflix has made it clear that the project is going forward."

So far there has been little confirmation about the project, though Meghan did let slip in her viral interview with the Cut, that it will document their ‘love story.’

This development also follows reports that Prince Harry’s upcoming memoir is also facing delays, with Harry requesting ‘last minute changes’ following the passing of his grandmother, the Queen - after concerns that its contents could be deemed ‘insensitive.’

As of yet, there is no official release date for Harry and Meghan’s Netflix series.

Of all the questions raised by The Crown on Netflix, it's the one everyone needs the answer to! Did she, or didn’t she?

News of The Crown rocketing back into Netflix’s top 10 TV shows didn’t come as a surprise, as fans all over the world shared in grief over the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth ll. The series already had the ability to induce gasps in audiences, prompting them to pause their viewing and frantically search the events depicted - questioning whether they really happened and how they really transpired. This aside, the question everyone really needed to know was; did the Queen and other members of the Royal Family watch The Crown? Read on to find possible answers to this hugely important query.

The resurgence of interest in the series has prompted intrigue over the talented actors and actresses taking on key roles over the years. We have a The Crown cast guide, taking you through the important players from season 1 through to season 5. Plus a exhaustive location guide showing where The Crown was filmed - and whether can you visit the stately sets in real life. The wait for the new series is nearly over, with a confirmed release month for The Crown season 5. The Kate Middleton casting for the upcoming new series has also caused quite the commotion, dividing royal fans over whether the right choice was made.  

Did The Queen watch The Crown?

The Queen did watch The Crown, according to actor Matt Smith - who portrayed Prince Philip in seasons 1 & 2 of the show.

Metro reported that during an interview with The Today Show, Smith asserted that Queen Elizabeth would watch the show every Sunday. He said “she used to watch it on a projector on a Sunday night apparently”, suggesting he got his information from friends who had attended a dinner where the former Monarch and her husband were present.  

Similarly, Bustle reported the Queen had been encouraged to watch the series by Prince Edward, and wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex. A source close to the Royals at the time said “Edward and Sophie love The Crown,” adding “It has been a longstanding arrangement that they drive to Windsor at the weekend to join the Queen for an informal supper while watching TV or a film. They have a Netflix account and urged her to watch it with them. Happily, she really liked it, although obviously there were some depictions of events that she found too heavily dramatised.”

They continued to report that Vanessa Kirby - who portrayed Princess Margaret in The Crown seasons 1 & 2 - had a friend who bumped into Princess Beatrice at a party. Kirby’s friend began chatting with the Princess about the show, excited to deliver the news that they were friends with somebody starring in it. Princess Beatrice was said to have responded with “well, my granny likes it”, seemingly offering confirmation the Queen had indeed seen it.

Did Prince Philip watch The Crown? 

It is thought that Prince Philip did not watch The Crown, but heard about a malicious scene from the Netflix series that caused him deep upset.  

The scene in question concerned events surrounding the death of Prince Philip’s sister, Princess Cecilie of Greece and Denmark who died in 1937. She was just 26-years-old at the time of her death, and the show depicted that Prince Philip’s father blamed him for her death, which Royal sources clearly refute. Royal experts claimed the Duke of Edinburgh to be so hurt by the portrayal of these events, that he refused to watch the drama, urging the Queen to follow. 

In the same interview where Matt Smith put forward evidence that the Queen had watched some, if not all of The Crown, he also provided strong evidence that Prince Philip refused to watch it. He told of the friend dining with the Royal, plucking up the courage to ask if he had seen it, finally asking a few courses into the meal “Philip, I have to ask, have you watched The Crown?” The answer sounds very likely for the Prince, who is alleged to simply have responded “don’t be ridiculous”.

Does Prince Charles watch The Crown? 

From comments made about his portrayal in the series, it appears that Prince Charles does watch The Crown, and is not at all happy with his depiction.

It was reported by the Daily Mail, that when Charles met with politicians in Edinburgh last year before the state opening, he made introductions by saying, "Hello, nice to meet you all. I'm nowhere near how they portray me on Netflix”. 

Scottish politician Anas Sarwar who relayed the Prince's words, went on to express an opinion on the big reveal, saying “I thought that was a really interesting way of how you describe yourself”. However, knowing that private conversations held during such events are not to be revealed to the public, Sarwar wouldn’t offer any further comment. Instead, he concluded “I'm going to be in so much trouble for this because I don't think you are meant to tell private conversations!”

Does Prince William watch The Crown? 

It is widely reported that Prince William does not watch The Crown, but has expressed opinions over events he heard will be portrayed in the upcoming season 5.  

According to Marie Claire, the Prince is “frustrated” by the decision to lend an entire episode to coverage of his mother’s infamous interview with Martin Bashir. The 1995 Panorama interview covered Diana’s unhappy marriage to Prince Charles, and struggles with her mental health and eating disorders. In 2021, an inquiry was held into the allegedly dubious methods Basir used to obtain the interview - dampening his shining career.

William was 13-years-old at the time of the interview, and his Eton housemaster found him in tears after it aired. Marie Claire suggested the Prince had strong words against the BBC, saying the interview contributed “significantly to her fear, paranoia, and isolation”. He added “but what saddens me most, is that if the BBC had properly investigated the complaints and concerns first raised in 1995, my mother would have known that she had been deceived. She was failed not just by a rogue reporter, but by leaders at the BBC who looked the other way rather than asking the tough questions.”

Does Prince Harry watch The Crown? 

Yes, it has been confirmed that Prince Harry has seen some parts of The Crown, and has commented on it publicly.  

In the same interview with The Today Show where Matt Smith revealed whether The Queen and Prince Philip watch the show, he appeared to offer confirmation that Prince Harry had seen it. Smith said “I met Harry once, at polo, which sounds a bit grand, but it wasn’t that grand. And he walked up to me and went, ‘Granddad’”. He added “he watched the show! Well, I can’t claim to know if he watches it currently, but he watched a bit of it then”.

Harry also spoke about watching the series on a segment of The Late Late Show With James Corden. He said “they don’t pretend to be news. It’s fiction. But it’s loosely based on the truth”. He continued “I'm way more comfortable with The Crown than I am seeing the stories written about my family or my wife or myself. Because it's the difference between – that [The Crown] is obviously fiction, take it how you will, but this [the press] is being reported as fact because you're supposedly news. I have a real issue with that”.

More Netflix Features:

• When did Charles and Diana separate and divorce?
• How old was Diana when she got married?
• Who is James Hewitt, is he married and does he have children?
• Where is Hasnat Khan now and why did he leave Princess Diana?
• Did Charles want the Queen to abdicate?
• Who is Princess Diana’s friend Dr. James Colthurst and who plays him in The Crown?
• The Crown Season 5: What really happened between the British Royal Family and the Romanovs?
• Camillagate: The true story behind Charles and Camilla's leaked phone recording
• Princess Diana's revenge dress
• Windsor Castle fire
• Princess Diana's Panorama interview
• The Crown cast season 1-5
• Where was The Crown filmed? Season 1 - 5 filming locations
• Was Diana taller than Charles? Princess Diana's height
• The Crown season 5 trailer
• Where is Martin Bashir now - and why was the Princess Diana interview so controversial?
• When did King Charles marry Camilla Parker Bowles?
• How did Princess Diana know Imran Khan, and what happened to him?
• Reliving memories in Netflix’s new season of The Crown will be “incredibly hard" for Prince Harry and Prince William, claims royal expert
• Has Camilla, Queen Consort got children and who are her grandchildren?

Video of the Week

A rundown of The Crown cast - from the astonishing portrayals of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip throughout the ages, to the supporting cast members bringing the monarchy to life on screen. 

There has been a surge of interest in Netflix smash hit The Crown, knowing that it is the final installment of the series following the sad death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll. 

The critically acclaimed series is expected to return to the streamer’s top 10, as the public regains intrigue surrounding the life of the Monarch through the ages - as portrayed so carefully in the historical drama. Each series covers approximately 10 years in the life and challenges of the Royal family, with cast members changing to portray the appropriate age of each member. Here is your guide to who played Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip for each series, and a reminder of the cast members supporting them so brilliantly. 

Viewers anxious for the latest instalment of the series don’t have long to wait, with Netflix dropping part one of the series on Thursday 16th November 2023, which will later see Prince William as he deals with his 'mother's death'.

We've revealed details of where The Crown was filmed season by season. Plus, whether The Queen watched The Crown, plus other Royal Family members who have allegedly tuned into the show.

The Crown Cast: Season 1 to season 6 actors

Who played Queen Elizabeth in seasons 1 and 2 of The Crown?

British actress Claire Foy played Queen Elizabeth in The Crown seasons 1 and 2. The 38-year-old was best known for the role of Anne Boleyn in the 2015 BBC miniseries Wolf Hall - being nominated for a British Academy Television Award for Best Actress for the portrayal. 

The role of Queen Elizabeth catapulted her to international stardom. Speaking to Vogue about landing the part of the esteemed and longest serving Monarch, Foy described how her feelings were mixed. Having auditioned while visibly pregnant, the actress said "I was really, really pleased. I was pregnant at the time, so it was sort of tainted. My response to it wasn’t 'Woo-hoo!' It was more like, 'Oh, my God, I’m going to have a baby three months before rehearsing this. I’m not sure what state I’m going to be in.'" 

Having to thoroughly research the life of the Monarch in preparation for the role, Foy also spoke about the one thing that surprised her the most during the research process - how she actually came to be on the throne. 

Foy said: "I think it was the fact that I never really considered how she came to the throne at all. I just always accepted the fact that she had always been there my entire life. So it’s that thing where you have to take a step back and think, Okay, let’s have a little look, and then you start realizing all the things you never really considered. She was a 25-year-old woman with two children and a husband, and she thought she had another 25 to 30 years to go. 

Foy concluded: "I think it’s easy to put [the royal family] on a pedestal, or lambast them and think they’ve got loads of money and houses. It’s easy to do that and turn them into something disconnected, but it’s not easy to look at them on a human level because it takes a huge amount of compassion and sympathy. But I think it’s worth doing, because I think they’re an amazing family". 

Who played Prince Philip in seasons 1 and 2 of The Crown?

British actor Matt Smith played Prince Phillip in the first two seasons of The Crown. The 39-year-old came to public attention as the eleventh incarnation of the Doctor in the long-running Doctor Who series. 

Smith spoke to Esquire about the sacrifices Prince Philip made when he became a member of the British Royal family. He said "He gave up everything, literally everything, that made him a man. He had such a wonderful naval career, and for that to be taken away from him, and then to have to walk two steps behind his wife in public for the whole of his life - but he has a lion’s pride about him, so there were a lot of very interesting conflicts to play".

Smith continued to say he saw the Prince as "an alien in the royal house". By this, he was alluding to Philip's heritage - being born to the Greek and Danish monarchies. He spoke of the alleged struggles the Prince experienced, under constant scrutiny and adapting to British Royal Family customs. Smith felt this made Philip a sympathetic and relatable figure to audiences of The Crown. 

The Crown seasons 1 and 2: Supporting cast members

• Vanessa Kirby as Princess Margaret
• Jared Harris as King George VI
• John Lithgow as Winston Churchill
• Eileen Atkins as Queen Mary
• Jeremy Northam as Anthony Eden
• Victoria Hamilton as Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother
• Ben Miles as Group Captain Peter Townsend,
• Greg Wise as Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma
• Alex Jennings as The Duke of Windsor, formerly King Edward VIII
• Lia Williams as Wallis, Duchess of Windsor
• Anton Lesser as Harold Macmillan
• Matthew Goode as Tony Armstrong-Jones
• John Heffernan as Lord Altrincham
• Gemma Whelan as Patricia Campbell
• Paul Sparks as Billy Graham
• Michael C. Hall as John F. Kennedy
• Jodi Balfour as Jackie Kennedy
• Burghart Klaußner as Dr Kurt Hahn
• Finn Elliot as school-aged Prince Philip
• Julian Baring as school-aged Prince Charles

Who played Queen Elizabeth in seasons 3 and 4 of The Crown?

British actress Olivia Colman played Queen Elizabeth in The Crown season 3 and season 4. The 48-year-old has a long and distinguished acting career, and was already known for a range of both comedy and dramatic roles in film and television prior to being cast in The Crown. 

She has been the recipient of numerous awards and nominations, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, 3 British Academy Television Awards, and 3 Golden Globe awards.

Colman spoke to Insider at the time of her portrayal of the Queen, discussing the difficulties of the role. She said the role was tricky because "behind closed doors, we don't know what she's like". She continued to speak of her relief at leaving the role behind, adding "But definitely … the hardest part I've done is someone who's real. I'm not ashamed to say that I'm quite pleased now to be able to move on to something else".

On the volatile nature of the acting profession, Colman did speak of appreciation for the two years of employment the show gave her. She added this security was "a lovely feeling because I still get the fear that it's not going to happen again."

Who played Prince Philip in seasons 3 and 4 of The Crown?

British actor Tobias Menzies played Prince Philip in seasons 3 and 4 of The Crown. The 48-year-old was known to audiences before his appearance on The Crown, for the roles of Frank and Jonathan "Black Jack" Randall in STARZ's Outlander series, Brutus in HBO's Rome, and Edmure Tully in HBO's Game of Thrones. 

His theatre career is also extensive, and diverse. Speaking to The Guardian, Menzies spoke of Philip’s “contradictory nature” that fascinated him and drew him to the role. 

He went on to say: "There’s a lot of different forces at play within him. He was someone who was very wary to show his feelings, and yet, atmospherically, he’s not a cool presence, he’s quite hot … He’s abrasive. He’s challenging. He’s funny. But there’s an energy about it: it’s not calm, it’s not gentle. And those things seem to be kind of warring inside him. And so, actually, for someone who doesn’t want to give much away, he often feels like he is giving quite a lot of way".

Speaking of his admiration for the Prince, he said "For someone who clearly was not comfortable with [the role], he managed to do it with quite a high degree of dignity and patience". 

He concluded "He was partly involved in the transition from an aristocratic family to one that was marked by largely middle-class values. He helped to open it up and, to a certain degree, demystify a lot of the stuff that was going on, and modernise it".

The Crown season 3 & 4: Supporting cast

• Helena Bonham Carter as Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon
• Ben Daniels as Tony Armstrong-Jones, Earl of Snowdon
• Jason Watkins as Prime Minister Harold Wilson
• Gillian Anderson as Margaret Thatcher (season 4 only)
• Marion Bailey (Obsession) as Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother
• Erin Doherty as Princess Anne
• Charles Dance as Louis Mountbatten
• Josh O'Connor as Prince Charles
• Emma Corrin as Princess Diana (season 4 only)
• Clancy Brown as Lyndon B. Johnson
• Jane Lapotaire as Princess Alice
• Mark Lewis Jones as Edward Millward
• Tim McMullan as Robin Woods
• Derek Jacobi as The Duke of Windsor
• Geraldine Chaplin as The Duchess of Windsor
• Michael Maloney as Prime Minister Edward Heath
• Emerald Fennell as Camilla Parker Bowles (nee Shand)
• Andrew Buchan as Andrew Parker Bowles
• Harry Treadaway as Roddy Llewellyn

Who will play Queen Elizabeth in season 5 of The Crown?

British actor Imelda Staunton CBE will play Queen Elizabeth in season 5 of The Crown. The 66-year-old is another in a line of distinguished actresses to land a role in The Crown.  She began her theatre career in 1976, and has appeared extensively across theatre, film, and television since. 

She has won 4 Laurence Olivier Awards, and nominated for 13 more. She is best known to television audiences for the role of Dolores Umbridge in Harry Potter films The Order of the Phoenix and The Deathly Hallows - Part 1. 

People reported that Staunton had spoken of the "extra challenge" that comes with playing a more contemporary version of the Queen. She said "I think my sort of extra challenge, as if I needed it, is that I’m now doing the Queen that we’re a little more familiar with." 

She continued: "With Claire Foy, it was almost history and now I’m playing one that people could say 'she doesn’t do that,' 'she’s not like that,' and that’s my personal bête noire".

On whether the show should add a fictional disclaimer at the beginning, Staunton had the view "I think that is up to producers and directors. This isn’t verbatim; this isn’t taken from diaries. You’ve got to use your imagination, and I’d like to allow the audience a bit of intelligence. You can’t know that’s what Margaret and Elizabeth were talking about". Netflix has since reported they have no plans to add a disclaimer.

Who will play Prince Philip in season 5 of The Crown?

Sir Jonathan Pryce CBE will play Prince Philip in season 5 of The Crown. The 75-year-old is also well known for his stage, television, and film performances. He is the recipient of 2 Tony Awards and 2 Laurence Olivier Awards, and was knighted in 2021 for his services to drama. 

Audiences will recognise him as Thomas Wolsey in the BBC series Wolf Hall, and as the High Sparrow in HBO's Game of Thrones. He was also nominated for an Oscar for his role as Pope Francis in The Two Popes alongside Sir Anthony Hopkins. 

People reported that Pryce spoke of his delight at taking on the role. He said "I am delighted to be working with Netflix again. The positive experience I had making The Two Popes has given me the confidence to tackle the daunting prospect of portraying Prince Philip". 

He continued to heap praise on the co-stars he'd be working with on the show, adding "To be doing so with Peter Morgan in the company of Imelda [Staunton] and Lesley [Manville] will be a joy".

The Crown season 5: Supporting cast

• Lesley Manville as Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon
• Jonny Lee Miller as John Major
• Dominic West as Prince Charles
• Elizabeth Debicki as Diana, Princess of Wales
• Flora Montgomery as Norma Major
• Marcia Warren as Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother
• Olivia Williams as Camilla Parker Bowles
• Claudia Harrison as Princess Anne
• James Murray as Prince Andrew
• Emma Laird Craig as Sarah, Duchess of York
• Sam Woolf as Prince Edward
• Andrew Havill as Robert Fellowes
• Natascha McElhone as Penelope Knatchbull
• Senan West as Prince William of Wales
• Khalid Abdalla as Dodi Fayed
• Salim Daw as Mohamed Al-Fayed
• Amir El-Masry as young Mohamed Al-Fayed
• Bertie Carvel as Tony Blair
• Prasanna Puwanarajah as Martin Bashir
• Timothy Dalton as Peter Townsend
• Humayun Saeed as Dr. Hasnat Khan
• Lydia Leonard as Cherie Blair
• Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu as Monique Ritz

Who will play Queen Elizabeth in Season 6 of The Crown?

Imelda Staunton returns to play Queen Elizabeth II in Season 6 of The Crown. Speaking about reprising the role, Imelda said, “I've been living with her for a long time so if anything, I felt more comfortable this time. I love her stillness and her ability to not be thrown by everything that must have constantly — throughout her whole life — gone on around her.”

Imelda has previously been in Vera Drake, the Harry Potter films, My Family and Other Animals to name but a few.

Who will play Prince Philip in Season 6 of The Crown?

Jonathan Pryce will play Prince Philip in Season 6 of The Crown. He is reprising his role as the Duke of Edinburgh and, as Imelda called him, Queen Elizabeth II’s “strength and stay.” “It’s a great screen relationship, isn’t it?” she said. “The woman and the man just there — and particularly for Philip, who’s such an alpha male — to be two steps behind.”

Meanwhile, Jonathan, who is known for starring in Evita, Tomorrow Never Dies, and the Pirates of the Caribbean films to name but a few, said he was looking forward to the relationship building between Prince William and his grandfather Prince Philip in the final season. “There’s a kind of handing over from his early mentorship of Diana to become a mentor and a comforter to William,” said Jonathan.

The Crown Season 6: supporting cast

• Lesley Manville as Princess Margaret
• Dominic West as Prince Charles
• Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana
• Rufus Kampa as Prince William
• Fflyn Edwards as Prince Harry
• Olivia Williams as Camilla Parker Bowles
• Claudia Harrison as Princess Anne
• Khalid Abdalla as Dodi Fayed
• Salim Daw as Mohamed Al-Fayed
• Luther Ford as Prince Harry (one episode)
• Ed McVey as Prince William (one episode)
• Philip Cumbus as Charles Spencer
• Sebastian Blunt as Prince Edward
• Emma Laird Craig as Sarah Ferguson
• Bertie Carvel as Tony Blair
• Andrew Havill as Robert Fellowes
• James Murray as Prince Andrew
• Theo Fraser Steele as Timothy Lawrence
• Ben Lloyd-Hughes as Mark Bolland
• Beau Gadsdon as a young Princess Margaret
• Hanna Alstrom as Heini Wathen
• Harry Anton as Tervor Rees-Jones

• Alex Blake as Stephen Lamport
• Lydia Leonard as Cherie Blair
• Martin Turner as Lord Chamberlain
• Adam Damerell as Alastair Campbell
• Semo Salha as Salah Fayed
• Kate Cook as Susie Orbach
• Erin Richards as Kelly Fisher
• Thomas Nelstrop as Jonathan Powell
• Yoann Blanc as Henri Paul (one episode)
• Ben Lambert as Ben Murrell (one episode)
• Enzo Cilenti as Mario Brenna (one episode)
• Polly Frame as Sally Morgan (one episode)
• Jana Quiles as Jasmine Fayed (one episode)
• Kian Noam Omurca as Karim Fayed (one episode)
• Rai Masiques as Omar Fayed (one episode)
• Irene Barbero as Camilla Fayed (one episode)
• Lady Carlson as the Queen’s dresser (one episode)
• Justine Mitchell as Sarah McCorquodale (one episode)
• Annette Flynn as Jane Fellowes (one episode)
• Dimitri Jeannest as French doctor
• Laurent C. Lucas as Jacques Chirac
• Emily Tebbutt as Princess of Holland
• Leah Perkins as Sarah Chatto
• Christophe Guybet as Jean-Pierre Chevenement
• Eric Colvin as Michael Jay
• Kristin Murray as Edith Muir
• Sandra Hale as Rita Rogers
• Forbes Masson as Duncan Muir
• James Aldred as Ritz Walter
• Charlotte Melia as Anji Hunter
• Paul Gorostidi as Philippe Dourneau
• Mohammed Kamel as Ali Fayed
• Jamie Parker as Robin Janvrin
• Richard Rycroft as Archbishop Carey
• Lee Otway as Kez Wingfield
• Ed Sayer as Equerry

In other Entertainment news you might wonder who plays Princess Diana in Season 4, 5 and 6 or is Elizabeth Debicki married and does she have kids.

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.

Prince Charles has let slip his opinions on the way he is portrayed in Netflix's The Crown.

• A passing comment made by Prince Charles regarding his portrayal in The Crown has sparked conversation about the royal family's opinions on the show
• The comment was made during the state opening of Scottish Parliament last year and was only revealed earlier this week.
• In other royal news, Prince George is tipped to revolutionise the royal family when he becomes a working royal

Scrolling through Netflix, most people would be surprised to find a show sharing their family's history, airing all their dirty laundry and publicising moments they would rather forget, but for the royal family, this is the norm.

Most members of the royal family have never publicly commented on whether they have watched Netflix drama The Crown, let alone mentioned their opinions of it. But recently, Scottish politician Anas Sarwar revealed that Prince Charles briefly shared his opinion on the show during the state opening of Scottish Parliament last year.

According Sarwar, as reported by the Daily Mail, when Charles met with politicians in Edinburgh before the state opening, he introduced himself by saying, "Hello, nice to meet you all. I'm nowhere near how they portray me on Netflix."

Sarwar commented on the introduction, saying, "I thought that was a really interesting way of how you describe yourself." Perhaps realising what his passing comment may mean for publicity, he then told those around him, "I'm going to be in so much trouble for this!"

So, Charles' comment implies that he has at least seen parts of The Crown. Whether he has watched the whole of season three, the season when we are introduced to the fully grown Prince Charles, is unclear, but it is doubtful he was referencing seasons one and two where he is still portrayed as a child. 

He is not the first royal to let it slip that they have watched the show. Princess Eugenie went as far to admit she is a fan, saying, "You feel very proud to watch it. I can't speak for everyone but that's how I felt when I watched it." 

During their sit down interview with Oprah Winfrey, both Prince Harry and Meghan Markle also admitted to having seen some of the show.

Earlier this year, Prince Charles' wife Camilla, Duchess of Corwnwall, hosted Emerald Fennell, who portrayed Camilla in The Crown, at an event at Clarence House. Ahead of the third season, Camilla's nephew Ben let slip that his aunt watches the show, so it is not out of the question that the Prince and Duchess have binge watched the Netflix drama while tucking into the good biscuits.

"It’s very reassuring to know that if I should fall off my perch at any moment, my fictional alter-ego is here to take over. So Emerald, be prepared!" Camilla joked in her speech at the event. 

Still, the Duchess' comments on the show were kept to a minimum. When Fennell was asked if Camilla said anything about her performance when they met, the actress simply stated, "I’m going to be vey discreet. Loose lips sink ships.”

Related articles:

• Harry and Meghan to be ’shunted down the ladder’ as they face awkward situation with the Queen
• How the Queen brought Kate Middleton into the royal's inner circle
• Prince William’s powerful advice for Deborah James’ kids after losing his own mum Princess Diana
• Kate Middleton's plan to rebuild bridge between Prince William and Harry
• Prince Charles' secret holiday home loved by Kate Middleton, Prince William, George, Charlotte and Louis

A Kate Middleton lookalike has gone viral on Tiktok for her likeness to the Duchess after responding to a casting call for The Crown.

• The Kate Middleton lookalike has caused a stir on social media due to her incredible resemblance to the future Queen Consort.
• Taking to Tiktok with her striking looks, users urged her to apply to be Kate Middleton in the next series of The Crown.
• In other royal news,

TikTok may be the home of genius jean hacks and must-have luggage tips. But it seems it also offers a very useful angle for anyone trying to break into the entertainment industry.

Australian artist, Brittany Dixon, found herself in the heart of a social media frenzy over the weekend thanks to her uncanny resemblance to Kate Middleton.

Her amazing similarity to Kate sparked a flurry of calls for her to audition for the part in the Netflix hit's sixth season, as producers announced that amateur actors are welcome to apply to play young Kate Middleton.

@brittanydixonart Reply to @normanfrock tehe yolo! Just wanted to thank you guys for being so kind! #katemiddleton #thecrown #thecrownnetflix #fyp #artist ♬ original sound - Brittany Dixon

The Crown has been on the hunt to cast Kate, as Brittany explained,"Guys I applied! I was not expecting that video to get that much attention.

@brittanydixonart Reply to @justforfun24770 OK U ARE ALL BULLYING ME INTO ACTUALLY DOING THIS 💘😂😂😂 #katemiddleton #netflix #thecrown #youngkatemiddleton @Netflix @the Crown Netflix #fyp ♬ Thousand Miles - The Kid LAROI

"So I did end up applying, they just wanted a selfie, some general information, and a 30 second video of me talking about something I love.

Sharing her artistic flair Brittany added, "Obviously I talked about painting, so we'll see how it goes and if they even see it. Anyway thanks guys for being so nice, back to painting."

Netflix posted a casting call for young actors to play Prince William, Prince Harry, and Kate last month, with filming set to begin in August. Better yet, no prior professional acting experience was required.

Kate is set to have a tiny role in The Crown, which will recreate the start of her love story with Prince William while they were in Scotland together. Kate's 'perfect image' will definitely help her to avoid embarrassment in the Netflix series.

Kate Middleton’s “perfect image” could reportedly help her out when it comes to Netflix’s The Crown according to a royal expert.

• Recent reports have suggested that The Crown could end up casting a star to play a young Kate Middleton in the popular royal drama. 
• Now an expert has claimed that if this does end up happening, the Duchess of Cambridge’s “perfect image” could give her an advantage.
• This royal news comes as we revealed the Royal Family members Prince Harry will ‘go after’ in his upcoming book.

From the moment it landed, Netflix’s historical hit The Crown has amassed fans across the world with its dramatisation of the Queen’s life and reign. Though members of The Firm have rarely discussed the show, that hasn’t stopped many people from speculating over whether the royals have watched it. The Crown season 5 is set to premiere this year and though it was previously believed the show wouldn’t feature the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s early romance, new reports have suggested otherwise. 

Now it’s been claimed that The Crown could be on the hunt to cast Kate in the show. Though according to an expert, Kate Middleton's “perfect image” could help the future Queen Consort avoid potential embarrassment. 

According to The Sun, when it comes to the final season, The Crown will reportedly continue to the early 2000s, which was when Prince William and Kate’s love story began.

“Having the Duchess of Cambridge starring is an easy win for The Crown, as the creators know it will get more people watching,” a TV insider alleged to the publication. “Particularly as it will show her relationship with William just as their romance starts to blossom when they were both students.”

They added, “But since she’s not necessarily a crucial part of the storyline, Kate’s presence is essentially a bonus, they’ll only cast someone if they can find the right candidate.”

Though even if this does turn out to be correct and The Crown do find the “right candidate” to play the Duchess, former royal butler and expert Grant Harrold believes Kate likely wouldn’t be worried. 

Opening up to OK! he claimed, “Kate doesn't have much to worry about, her PR and image is perfect. There is nothing not perfect about her. At the end of the day, it's PR. Some bits are historical and some bits are drama - the palace has always been keen to remind people it is drama.”

He claimed that if anyone plays the Duchess, "It will be positive. So they may well see it as good PR. There will be an interest for them and she is likely to come face to face with the actress that plays her at some point at an event."

It’s not yet been confirmed officially if The Crown are indeed looking to cast an actor to play Kate in the final season. Though it seems that the Duchess' warm nature and positive approach to royal duties could help her avoid any potential embarrassment if she was portrayed on screen.

These reports come just weeks after Duchess Camilla met her own "alter ego" Emerald Fennell, who played her on The Crown, during an event for International Women’s Day.

“It is reassuring to know that, if I should fall off my perch at any moment, my fictional alter ego is here to take over—so, Emerald, be prepared!” Camilla is said to have light-heartedly declared at the time. 

It looks like Kate Middleton is set to make her first appearance in The Crown as Netflix starts the search for an actress to play her.

• The Crown season five is headed for Netflix in November 2022, with Netflix bosses already posting audition calls for the season six cast.
• It seems the next instalment will detail William and Kate’s first meeting as reports claim they’re now looking for her actress.
• This royal news comes after it was revealed the Queen once gave the SASSIEST response when she was asked to remove her crown.

Netflix is reportedly on the hunt for an actress to play Kate Middleton in season six of The Crown, with viewers likely to see the start of her love story with Prince William play out on screen. 

This comes just weeks after show runners posted a casting call for Prince William and Harry for the ages of 16-21 for the sixth and final season. 

In the post, they are asking for actors who share a ‘strong physical resemblance’ to the brothers - after struggling to cast Harry in season five.

Now according to the Daily Star, the series will delve into the early parts of William and Kate’s relationship, including their meeting at St Andrews University. 

However, a source claims Kate will likely only have a small role, as the show will focus mainly on the Queen’s reign during the late 90s to early 2000s.

They said, “Having the Duchess of Cambridge starring is an easy win for The Crown, as the creators know it will get more people watching. Particularly as it will show her relationship with William just as their romance starts to blossom when they were both students.

"But since she's not necessarily a crucial part of the storyline, Kate’s presence is essentially a bonus, they'll only cast someone if they can find the right candidate.”

The penultimate and final seasons of the hit show are likely to be very poignant for William and Harry. As the upcoming series will show the breakdown of Prince Charles’ marriage to Princess Diana, and subsequently, her tragic death in 1997.

The personal content of the show will reportedly pose a ‘dilemma’ for Harry who has signed a mega-deal with Netflix. 

However, The Crown’s producers have previously stated that they are ‘very conscious’ of the responsibility, they have to William and Harry in portraying the ‘excruciating loss’ of their mother.

Heartache for Prince Charles as he makes a return visit to a place that evokes memories of a deep loss.

• Prince Charles faces heartache after he returned to a place that his mentor Lord Mountbatten was assassinated by the IRA.
• The Prince of Wales is touring Ireland with his wife Duchess Camilla as part of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee year.
• This royal news comes as its revealed the Queen ‘took Meghan Markle aside’ over row about eggs at Windsor Castle.

Prince Charles faces heartache as he visits a place that evokes a deeply personal loss.

The Prince of Wales and his wife Camilla are half way through a four-day visit to Ireland this week, having kick-started their tour on Tuesday, 22nd March, the couple visited North Ireland as part of the celebrations to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

But the visit holds a deeply personal heartache for Prince Charles as his mentor, Lord Mountbatten was assassinated here by the IRA in 1979.

The last two days of their trip are to be spent in the Republic of Ireland - a place they last visited in 2019. But for Charles, the whole trip to Ireland is bound to evoke some painful memories as it was where Lord Mountbatten was killed.

This year will mark the 43rd anniversary of his death, as the former Navy admiral was blown up during a fishing trip with his family off Mullaghmore, County Sligo, on August 27, 1979, when a bomb planted by Thomas McMahon on their Shadow V boat was detonated.

Lord Mountbatten was known by his family as 'Dickie' was the Queen's second cousin and Prince Philip's uncle and Prince Charles once gave a heartbreaking speech about the tragic loss in 2015 when he visited the seaside village of of Mullaghmore.

At the time he said, “In August 1979, my much-loved great uncle, Lord Mountbatten, was killed alongside his young grandson and my godson, Nicholas, and his friend, Paul Maxwell, and Nicholas's grandmother, the Dowager Lady Brabourne.

“At the time I could not imagine how we would come to terms with the anguish of such a deep loss since, for me, Lord Mountbatten represented the grandfather I never had.

“So, it seemed as if the foundations of all that we held dear in life had been torn apart irreparably."

He added, “Through this dreadful experience, though, I now understand in a profound way the agonies borne by so many others in these islands, of whatever faith, denomination or political tradition.”

Prince Charles' close bond with Lord Mountbatten was portrayed in Netflix's fictional royal drama The Crown. the Prince said he first remembered meeting his great-uncle when he was just five during a trip to Malta and he is understood to have given Charles marriage advice, even though he went on to divorce Princess Diana.

In a real-letter to Charles, Lord Mountbatten wrote, “In a case like yours, the man should sow his wild oats and have as many affairs as he can before settling down, but for a wife he should choose a suitable, attractive, and sweet-charactered girl before she has met anyone else she might fall for.”

The Queen was once forced to "intervene" and "defuse" a situation between Prince Charles and Prince Andrew which broke out after Prince Andrew allegedly put his toiletries in the wrong bathroom. 

• A former Buckingham Palace maid, Janette McGowan, has revealed details of the "stand-off".
• She claims it happened during a Christmas stay at Sandringham back in 1999.
• This royal news comes as the telling sign Princess Diana was planning to re-marry after she split from Prince Charles.

It has been claimed that Prince Andrew and Prince Charles once became embroiled in a stand-off over toiletries, in which the Queen was forced to intervene.

A former Buckingham Palace maid has revealed details of an alleged incident which took place at Sandringham during the Christmas of 1999.

Janette McGowan told The Sun that Prince Andrew, 39 at the time, had claimed the wrong bathroom—supposedly reserved for Future King Charles, then 51. And allegedly refused to move his toiletries until asked by Her Majesty.

Janette explained, "When members of the Royal Family travel to Sandringham they are each allocated rooms and a bathroom.

“But Prince Andrew took the bathroom that was allocated for the Prince of Wales and he wouldn’t budge and refused to take his stuff out of it. It turned into a bizarre stand-off.

“In the end The Queen herself had to intervene to defuse the situation. She actually had to have words with Andrew and say to him that he had to use the other bathroom and that was when he finally backed down."

Revealing further details of the dynamics between the brothers, Janette added, "The Prince of Wales just had to wait until the Queen intervened as Prince Andrew had just left his things in the bathroom and he wanted that bathroom.

“Charles was very grown-up about it, which is more than you can say for Andrew.”

Hit Netflix show, The Crown, recently explored the relationship between the two brothers.

But royal expert, Katie Nicholl, said their depiction wasn't entirely accurate. And that the brothers were once close during the earlier days, along with Princess Diana and Sarah Ferguson.

'There absolutely has been rivalry between Andrew and Charles but my understanding is that that rivalry developed at a later stage in life and that actually, when they were young handsome princes enjoying their early years of marriage, they were the 'Fab Four'," she explained.

"They were the ones going on holidays together, they were the ones skiing together. And they had these sort of bright, gorgeous, exciting, new royal wives and there was actually, I think, more companionship between them at that stage in their life than perhaps at any other.

"So, I'm not sure that that's an entirely accurate reflection of their relationship at all. That rivalry, that jealousy came later."

Prince Harry is reportedly hoping to skip his attendance at the Oscars this year in a bid to avoid Kristen Stewart, who is expected to be nominated for Best Actress for her portrayal of Princess Diana in Spencer.

• Prince Harry is said to be dubious about attending the 2022 Oscars in March following Kristen Stewart's role as his mother, Princess Diana.
• However Meghan Markle is believed to be keen to attend in order for the pair to mingle with the Hollywood crowd.
• This royal news comes after Kate Middleton made a really rare and personal gesture to royal fans.

Prince Harry is reportedly not a fan of Kristen Stewarts’ portrayal of his mother, Princess Diana in Spencer and doesn’t want to attend the Oscars.

Kristen’s performance has been critically acclaimed with many believing she’ll be nominated for Best Actress at the prestigious award ceremony this year. 

The film focuses on a Christmas weekend that the royal family spent together in 1991, portraying the strain on Princess Diana and Prince Charle’s marriage. 

This is understandably a difficult watch for Prince William and Prince Harry, who just last year unveiled a memorial statue for Diana, on what would have been her 60th birthday. 

A source reports that Prince Harry did not like the film for its darker portrayal of his mum and does not want to meet Kristen.

Speaking to OK! US, the insider claimed that the movie "struck a sour note" with Harry, adding, "He's pretty appalled by the film."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WllZh9aekDg

They revealed that he and Meghan Markle have been invited to the Oscars in March, explaining that they'd "almost certainly come face-to-face" with Kristen, "since she's a lock for a best actress nomination".

The source added that Meghan still wants them to attend as she is keen to mix with the A-lister crowd, despite her husband's hope to skip the high profile event. 

Season 5 of The Crown is set to depict a similar period to that in Spencer, exploring the 1990s and the couple's rocky marriage, through to their divorce and Princess Diana’s death. However, Netflix creators have said that they are ‘very conscious’  of their ‘responsibility’ to Harry and William in portraying their loss, after Prince Harry revealed what he really thinks of The Crown. 

Who is Greg Wise and who is he married to? Here's all you need to know about the star as he is confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing 2021.

As the BBC begin to reveal who is on Strictly Come Dancing 2021, actor and producer Greg Wise has been confirmed for the upcoming series. But who is Greg Wise and who is he married to?

Who is Greg Wise?

Greg Wise is an actor, writer and producer who is competing in the 2021 series of Strictly Come Dancing.

He starred in popular Netflix drama The Crown, playing Lord Louis Mountbatten in 2016, while having played Sir Charles Maulver in the 2007 five-part series of Cranford.

His breakout performance was playing the role of John Willoughby in 1995 film Sense and Sensibility, in which he starred alongside actress Emma Thompson.

Having been born in Newcastle in the late 1960s, Greg, 55, studied Architecture in Edinburgh while performing at Bedlam Theatre. He then went on to study drama at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.

His many film credits include Walking on Sunshine, Johnny English, and Military Wives.

And his author credits are for Not That Kind of Love, which he wrote with his late sister Clare Wise.

Who is Greg Wise married to?

Greg Wise is married to actress Emma Thompson. The pair met back in 1995 on the set of the film Sense and Sensibility, a film they starred in together.

Emma's relationship with her husband at the time, Kenneth Branagh, deteriorated and she was "depressed" and living alone when she started a relationship with her co-star Greg.

Speaking about how Greg had "saved" her, Emma told BBC Radio 4, "Work saved me and Greg saved me. He picked up the pieces and put them together again."

Do Emma Thompson and Greg have kids?

Emma and Greg became parents to a daughter called Gaia, after Emma had IVF when she was 39.

They married in 2003 in Dunoon, Scotland and later that year they informally adopted a 16-year-old Rwandan orphan who was a former child soldier called Tindyebwa Agaba. They had met at a refugee council event and Emma invited him to spend Christmas at their home.

"Slowly he became a sort of permanent fixture, came on holiday to Scotland with us, became part of the family," explained Emma.

He became a British citizen in 2009.

And their family home is in West Hampstead, London - on the same road as Emma's childhood home. But last year they indicated their intention to move to Italy permanently after they were sworn in as honorary citizens of Venice, and became legal residents as a result. They own a house in the city and retain a base in London.

Greg teamed up with his wife Emma to write the box-office hit film Last Christmas.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpnf-dGzbx4

What is the age difference between Emma Thompson and Greg Wise?

Greg Wise is 55 and his wife Emma Thompson is 62 - making it a seven-year age gap.

Emma previously spoke out on the idea that older women can't sleep with younger men on screen, as he told CultureBlast podcast, "It’s very interesting with this woman I’m about to play. This young man says, ‘You’re perfectly attractive, why can’t you find another chap?’ And she says, 'Because the only people willing to sleep with me are people my age, and I want to sleep with someone younger than me'."

She continued to explain, "Now I’ve never heard a woman say that on-screen. With men, it’s completely acceptable. It’s completely acceptable for George Clooney - who is delightful - to have someone who is 30 years younger than him. If I have someone playing opposite me in a romantic way, they have to exhume someone, because I’m 61 now. Do you see what I mean? It’s completely and utterly unbalanced."

She revealed that she was keen to break down these age barriers.

"If Leo Grande, the film that we make, speaks to people and people aren’t averse to seeing someone who’s 61 largely naked with a very much younger person, it’s going to be very interesting. We’ve got to keep being brave about that," she added.

Prince Harry has finally revealed what he thinks of The Crown.

The smash hit Netflix show is a dramatisation of the reign of Prince Harry's grandmother Queen Elizabeth II and is centred around the life of the royal family.

The most recent series of The Crown depicted the story of Prince Harry's parents, Prince Charles and Princess Diana, showing how they met and the hardships of their marriage - leaving us eagerly anticipating season 5 of The Crown.

Harry recently got together with James Corden to give his most detailed interview since stepping back from the royal family, ahead of his and wife Meghan Markle's tell-all Oprah Winfrey interview.

What does Prince Harry think of The Crown?

Prince Harry shared his opinion on The Crown in detail, during his interview with James Corden.

Harry and James teamed up to film a segment for The Late Late Show, riding around Harry's new home city of LA on an open top bus.

When asked his thoughts on The Crown's depiction of his family, Harry (who recently signed a contract with Netflix) confirmed he's fine with it and revealed how much is factual.

"They don't pretend to be news. It's fictional," he said.

"But it's loosely based on the truth. Of course it's not strictly accurate... it gives you a rough idea about what that lifestyle, what the pressure of putting duty and service above family and everything else, what can come from that."

Admitting he has a hard time dealing with the way he and his family are portrayed by the press, he explained he isn't bothered by parts of The Crown that are obviously fictitious.

"I am way more comfortable with The Crown than I am seeing the stories written about my family, my wife, or myself. Because it's the difference between, that is obviously fiction, take it how you will, but this is being reported on as fact, because you are supposedly news. I have a real issue with that."

The Crown's Gillian Anderson and creator of the popular Netflix drama Peter Morgan have ended their relationship.

The Crown star Gillian Anderson and boyfriend Peter Morgan - creator of the popular Netflix show, have split after four years together.

Gillian, 52, who worked closely with her partner Peter, 57, on the fourth season of the hit show have separated after finding love in 2016 - telling friends at a party in New York where the pair were promoting The Crown that they were in a relationship.

The couple, who never shared a home together, are said to remain great friends despite the break up.

Gillian, who portrays Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in Season 4 of The Crown has daughter Piper, 26, with ex husband Clyde Klotz, and sons Oscar, 14, and Felix, 12, with ex partner Mark Griffiths, who she dated until 2012.

According to The Mail's Baz Bamigboye, "I've heard that the relationship has run its course — not helped by various work commitments and family logistics (each has children from past relationships) — though they remain great friends."

Meanwhile Peter was married to Lila Schwarzenberg - born Princess Anna Carolina zu Schwarzenberg - until 2014. And he has five children with her.

It comes 11 months after Gillian revealed it 'would be the end' of her relationship with her screenwriter partner if they ever moved in together and that she preferred the pair of them living in separate homes.

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CG7hVl3DZRn/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

The Sex Education star and The X Files star told The Times she liked that "there is nothing locking us in" by living separately, adding that they don't have to fear how they would manage the logistics should they ever split in the future.

Speaking about her relationship with Peter, Gillian said, "If we did, that would be the end of us. It works so well as it is, it feels so special when we do come together. And when I am with my kids, I can be completely there for them. It's exciting.

"We choose when to be together. There is nothing locking us in, nothing that brings up that fear of 'Oh gosh, I can't leave because what will happen to the house, how will we separate?''

"I start to miss the person I want to be with, which is a lovely feeling. And it is so huge for me to be able to see a pair of trousers left lying on the floor at my partner's house and to step over them and not feel it is my job to do something about it!"

And more recently, in November Gillian insisted she had "very clear boundaries" with her partner Peter when they worked together on series four of The Crown.

Gillian told Harper's Bazaar, "For our own sanity, and actually for the benefit of the relationship, we had very clear boundaries. I am not going to comment on the script, but you are not allowed to comment on the performance!"

Prince Charles first proposed to Lord Mountbatten's granddaughter, following his mentor's tragic murder.

• Prince Charles once proposed to Lord Mountbatten’s granddaughter Amanda Knatchbull.
• His proposal was rejected by Amanda because of her reluctance to be at the forefront of the Royal Family after her grandfather’s assassination. 
• This royal news comes after it was confirmed that Prince William and Kate Middleton's beloved dog Lupo has died. 

Whilst Prince Charles’ romantic life has never been far from the limelight, it seems that the Prince of Wales has also had his share of rejection. Popular Netflix series, The Crown, was particularly open about Prince Charles’ relationships prior to his marriage. However, even the hit series failed to show the woman he proposed to first.

Who did Prince Charles propose to before Diana and Camilla?

In a surprising turn of events, it emerges that Prince Charles first proposed to Amanda Knatchbull, granddaughter of Lord Mountbatten. Her grandfather was not only Prince Charles’ great-uncle, but his mentor. 

Lord Mountbatten and his 14-year-old grandson Nicholas were killed in an explosion orchestrated by the IRA in 1979. A 15-year-old boy who had been helping out and the Dowager Lady Brabourne also died.

When did Prince Charles propose to Amanda Knatchbull?

It was shortly after her grandfather’s death that Prince Charles proposed marriage to Nicholas’ sister Amanda. Amanda rejected the proposal, however Jonathan Dimbleby’s 1994 book, The Prince of Wales: A Biography suggests this wasn’t the first time a match had been put forward as a possibility.

According to Dimbleby, Lord Mountbatten himself had previously suggested the match, up to 5 years prior to the proposal. 

How did Amanda’s family react to Charles' interest?

Charles himself had reportedly written to Amanda’s mother (and his own godmother) Patricia Brabourne to reveal his interest in her daughter years before.

But whilst Lady Brabourne was pleased, she suggested waiting until the then 16-year-old Amanda was older before initiating any form of courtship. 

Lord Mountbatten later arranged for his granddaughter to accompany him and Charles on the 1980 tour of India. However, both Prince Philip and Amanda’s father reportedly objected. 

The decision was made that Charles would go unaccompanied. It was shortly before the tour was due to depart that Lord Mountbatten was killed. Prince Charles proposed to Amanda upon his return, only to be turned down.

Why was Prince Charles’ proposal rejected?

Whilst the exact reasoning for Amanda’s rejection is not publicly known, there have been many suggestions over the years. Perhaps the most likely is that Amanda was still grieving for her brother, grandfather and grandmother. Their murder could also have left her reluctant to enter the full royal fold, scared of further violent action. 

Amanda went on to marry property entrepreneur Charles Vincent Ellingworth in 1987. Whilst Prince Charles later went on to marry Lady Diana Spencer in 1981 and have two children, Prince William and Prince Harry. 

After their much-publicised divorce, the Prince of Wales later married Camilla Parker-Bowles. The couple have now been happily married for 15 years. 

Emma Corrin, who plays Princess Diana in series four of The Crown, has revealed she asked scriptwriters to include graphic scenes relating to the late royal’s eating disorder.

• The Crown will depict Princess Diana's battle with bulimia in its upcoming fourth series.
• Actor Emma Corrin, who plays Diana in the Netflix drama, said she asked scriptwriters to include graphic scenes of Diana's eating disorder.
• This royal news comes after Princess Diana's brother shared a rare childhood photo of her.

The 24-year-old actor admitted it felt important to include scenes of Diana vomiting so that the subject was handled in an "honest way".

Speaking to Radio Times, Emma said, "We'd been working on her body language and we put together a document that we sent to the script team and said, "Can you include some of this in the writing because we'd love to really flesh out those scenes?

"I felt that if we were trying to depict bulimia in an honest way, we had to actually show it – otherwise it's a disservice to anyone who has been through that."

Speaking on tapes used for Andrew Morton’s book, Diana: Her Own Story, the princess opened up about her experiences with bulimia. 

Diana said, "The bulimia started a week after [Charles and I] got engaged (and would take nearly a decade to overcome). My husband put his hand on my waistline and said, “Oh, a bit chubby here, aren’t we?” And that triggered something in me."

She also explained how bulimia was an "escape mechanism", adding, "I didn’t like myself. I was ashamed I couldn’t cope with the pressures. I had bulimia for a number of years, and that’s like a secret disease. It’s a repetitive pattern which is very destructive. It was my escape mechanism.’"

A spokesperson for Netflix told Radio Times, ‘The Crown producers worked closely with the eating disorder charity, BEAT, to ensure that their portrayal of Princess Diana's bulimia was both accurate to the disorder and sensitively handled.’

Fans can look forward to a further focus on Diana and her royal life in season 5 of The Crown expected in 2022.