Fans of hit Netflix series The Crown were thrilled last week as new images from the fifth series were released of Elizabeth Debicki playing Princess Diana, Dominic West as Prince Charles and Imelda Staunton portraying the Queen.
Filming has now begun after a delay due to Covid-19, and while there’s no release date yet, the show is rumoured to be returning in early 2022. It is expected to pick up where series four left off, in 1990, and will feature the breakdown of Charles and Diana’s marriage and her tragic death.
We look at the behind-the-scenes gossip and Paul Burrell – who worked in the Palace then – gives his take...
‘The likeness to Diana is remarkable – I was speechless’
Australian actress Elizabeth Debicki, 30, will star as Princess Diana in seasons five and six of the show, and has revealed she felt both thrilled and nervous to bag the role. The Great Gatsby star says, “I’m overwhelmed, I’m terrified and I’m excited. I can’t wait to start.”
And Diana’s ex-royal butler Paul Burrell says photos of Elizabeth as the late princess took his breath away, but he hopes she captures her personality, too. Paul says, “Seeing pictures of Elizabeth as Diana, I was speechless. The likeness was remarkable – she has the same beauty, the same doe-eyed look, the same youth and elegance. What remains to be seen is if she can put across what Diana was like on the inside. I hope she shows how animated and lively Diana was, and her immense vulnerability.”
‘Dominic is too stocky and broad for Prince Charles’
Stepping into the role of Prince Charles is Dominic West, 51, who will play the prince at the time of his affair with his now-wife, Camilla Parker Bowles.
Dominic’s casting raised eyebrows as, shortly after it was announced, the married actor was seen getting cosy with his Pursuit Of Love co-star Lily James, with some fans left thinking his role as the rumoured-to-be-unfaithful royal was “ironic”. Others have said he is “too hot” for the role.
And Paul says he is also unsure about the choice, saying, “I must admit I’m not convinced by Dominic as Prince Charles. He’s too stocky and broad – Charles is quite slight. But Dominic is a great actor, so I’m sure he’ll be able to pull it off. The prince has distinctive mannerisms that Josh O’Connor, who played him last time, got very well. If he can perfect Charles’ voice, his ‘slurring’ of words and his expressions, I will be impressed.”
‘I hope Imelda captures the Queen’s warmth’
Following in the footsteps of Claire Foy and Olivia Coleman, Imelda Staunton will star as Queen Elizabeth II. The Harry Potter actress, 65, said her “extra challenge” was playing a Queen “we’re more familiar with”, saying, “With Claire Foy, her version of the Queen was almost history, and now I’m playing one that people could say ‘she doesn’t do that’, ‘she’s not like that’. That’s my bête noire to deal with.”
And Paul – who served the Queen for many years – says, “One aspect of the show that hasn’t sat well with me is the portrayal of the Queen. So far, she’s been cold and aloof in private and warm and friendly in public. However, in reality, she is almost more reserved in the public sphere. Behind the scenes, she is a kind and caring woman – with a wicked sense of humour. It will be great if Imelda conveys that.”
‘There will be some really difficult viewing’
The Crown has never held back in covering the highs and the lows of the monarchy, and historians have now said they believe this series is likely to be the most “uncomfortable” season yet for the royals, due to the events that will be covered.
Viewers will see the breakdown of Charles and Diana’s marriage and Diana’s subsequent emotional turmoil – famously shown to the world through her notorious BBC Panorama interview in 1995, in which she revealed her battles with bulimia, depression and her belief that Charles had been unfaithful.
Viewers will also see Diana’s death, one of the most heartwrenching and tragic events that has ever hit the royal family. And Paul says, “It’s going to be really difficult viewing, and the directors and producers need to be extremely careful in how they execute this. It was such an awful time, not only for the royal family themselves, but for the whole nation. I suspect they won’t go into it too deeply, out of respect for Prince Harry and Prince William.”
Check out: 9 times Meghan Markle dressed like Princess Diana
All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana - slider
1 of 15All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana
The glittering Roland Mouret gown worn by Meghan at the premiere of Cirque du Soleil's Totem show was reminiscent of a Catherine Walker dress Princess Diana wore in 1990.
2 of 15All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana
Both Meghan and Diana chose a monochrome color palette for visits to Royal Ascot.
3 of 15All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana
It seems both royals are a fan of pairing red and purple. Princess Diana wore the combo a visit to Hong Kong in November 1989 while Meghan wore it on a visit to Birkenhead in January of 2019.
4 of 15All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana
In 1987 Princess Diana wore tartan at Bute Highland Games in Scotland and two decades later Meghan wore a Burberry tartan coat for an official visit to Scotland during her engagement.
5 of 15All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana
Meghan sheer pleated Givenchy skirt (which caused quite the controversy) and matching top may well have been inspired by Princess Diana's all-blue look from 1982.
6 of 15All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana
Both royal women are a fan of pinstripes, as seen by this pinstriped blazer worn by Diana in Sheffield and the buttoned Altuzarra dress Meghan wore at the Commonwealth Youth Forum.
7 of 15All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana
Even at the end of her royal duties, Meghan channelled Diana in her wardrobe. Just look at this green dress and matching hat worn by Meghan on Commonwealth Day compared to Diana's Trooping of the Colour dress and hat from 1982.
8 of 15All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana
At the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto, one of the very first times we saw Meghan and Harry in public together, Meghan and her cali-girl vibes looked very similar to an outfit Princess Diana wore while in Bosnia.
9 of 15All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana
Not ones to shy away from colour, Princess Diana and Meghan also both know just how amazing a simple white dress can look.
10 of 15All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana
Both have sported tailored blush pink dresses. Princess Diana wore a Versace coat dress in 1995 while The Duchess of Sussex wore a modern take on the trend when visiting the Nelson Mandela Centenary Exhibition at Southbank Centre in London.
11 of 15All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana
Meghan's second wedding dress (a Stella McCartney design) was noticeably similar to a high-necked evening gown worn by Princess Diana at a reception at Spencer House in London.
12 of 15All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana
Meghan wore a stunning Safiyaa caped red gown o the Mountbatten Festival of Music at Royal Albert Hall that looked very similar to the red Jacques Azagury dress Diana wore to an American Red Cross dinner in 1997.
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The chic plaid suit that Diana wore while at Paddington Station in London in 1988 looks very similar to an off-the-shoulder structured shirt Meghan wore on a visit to Wales.
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The off-the-shoulder pink Carolina Herrera dress Meghan wore to Trooping the Colour was rather similar to Princess Diana's look worn at the Royal Ballet in Germany in 1987.
15 of 15All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana
At Commonwealth Day in March 2019 Meghan wore an emerald green Erden coat not dissimilar to the one worn by Princess Diana in 1982.
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‘Camilla should be portrayed as friendly, flirty and devoted to Charles’
This season will focus on the growing closeness – and alleged affair – between Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles.
And reports have claimed that actress Olivia Williams, 53, only got the part of Camilla after doing on-screen chemistry tests with Dominic West to ensure the pair had a spark.
Paul says, “It’s going to be interesting to see how they portray the Charles and Camilla relationship. In previous seasons, they’ve pushed the mark and veered away from the truth with certain things, so it’ll be fascinating to see how they’ll do this drama.
“The series four actress Emerald Fennell did a wonderful job with Camilla – portraying her as friendly, flirty and devoted to Charles, just like she was. Hopefully, Olivia will do this, too.”