I’ve become a fan of the Princess of Wales, says The Crown star Meg Bellamy
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The actress who plays a young Kate Middleton in The Crown has said she became a fan of her after taking on the role.
Meg Bellamy was plucked from obscurity to star in the new series of the Netflix drama, playing Kate in the early years of her romance with Prince William while a student at St Andrews.
“I was always very fascinated by the royals, but I didn’t necessarily have strong feelings towards them. But you grow really fond of characters that you’ve spent so much time watching. I’m definitely a Kate-ist,” she told Elle UK magazine.
The 21-year-old said she loved every aspect of playing the role – apart from the Noughties fashion. Wearing the tight, low-rise jeans that were all the rage in those days was not a comfortable experience.
“After lunch was when I really felt them. They change how you hold yourself, and how you feel,” she said.
Bellamy and co-star Ed McVey, who plays William, posed for a fashion shoot for the digital cover of Elle UK.
McVey, 23, revealed that he prepared for his audition by styling himself to look like the Prince. “I went to my barber and showed him a picture of young Will. He was like, ‘Um, ok,’” the actor recalled.
“I remember watching The Crown during my first year of drama school and thinking it was the kind of show I’d love to be part of eventually.
“I [was] thinking I’d missed the boat, age-wise. I didn’t even consider [playing] the younger royals.”
Asked if she could see a personal resemblance to the Princess of Wales, Bellamy said: “I’d never been told it growing up, but I know I’m not worlds away.
“I loved The Crown and wanted to be an actor, and figured I had nothing to lose. It was a long journey but it turned out ok.”
Bellamy, who worked in Legoland before getting her big break, said she learned a great deal from watching Imelda Staunton, who plays the Queen in the last two series of the show, and Jonathan Pryce, who plays the Duke of Edinburgh.
“She’s incredibly lovely and generous – a professional through and through. She knows exactly what she needs to do. I was so privileged to get to watch these titans of the industry do their thing all day.
“It was such a masterclass, watching them and how they conduct themselves with such grace,” she said.
