'The Crown' cast photos vs. real-life inspiration

Imelda Staunton; older Queen Elizabeth II — Imelda Staunton; Queen Elizabeth II. Photo:
Alex Bailey/Netflix; Chris Jackson – WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Crown followed the reign of Queen Elizabeth II from youth to older age, which required replacing the entire cast every two seasons. Of course, it wasn't just the queen who was inhabited by three different actresses: Prince Philip and Princess Margaret also had three portrayers over the course of the series. Some of the most respected British (and a few American) actors took on major roles on the show, many of whom won Emmys for their work.

But how accurately did The Crown capture these royals? See side-by-side comparisons of each actor with their real-life counterparts ahead.

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Claire Foy and Queen Elizabeth II

Claire Foy; young Queen Elizabeth. Alex Bailey/Netflix; PA Images/Getty Images

Claire Foy starred as Queen Elizabeth II in seasons 1 and 2 of The Crown. She earned a Golden Globe, an Emmy, and two SAG awards for her portrayal of a young Elizabeth adjusting to her royal new role. She won a second Emmy for appearing as a guest star in season 4 of The Crown, reprising her role as the younger version of the queen.

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Matt Smith and Prince Philip

Matt Smith; young Prince Philip. Robert Viglasky/Netflix; Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Doctor Who's Eleventh Doctor Matt Smith portrayed young Prince Philip in seasons 1 and 2, and was nominated for an Emmy for his work in 2018.

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Vanessa Kirby and Princess Margaret

Vanessa Kirby; young Princess Margaret. Alex Bailey/Netflix; Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

Oscar nominee Vanessa Kirby (Pieces of a Woman) starred as young Princess Margaret in seasons 1 and 2, earning a BAFTA TV award and an Emmy nomination for her work in 2018.

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Victoria Hamilton and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother

Victoria Hamilton; Elizabeth the Queen Mother — Victoria Hamilton; Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. Netflix; Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

Stage and screen actress Victoria Hamilton portrayed the first Queen Elizabeth–turned–Queen Mother in seasons 1 and 2.

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John Lithgow and Winston Churchill

John Lithgow; Winston Churchill. Alex Bailey/Netflix; Keystone/Getty Images

John Lithgow won an Emmy, a Critics Choice award, and a SAG award for his portrayal of Prime Minister Winston Churchill in season 1. He also popped up in guest appearances in seasons 2 and 3.

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Olivia Colman and Queen Elizabeth II

Olivia Colman; middle-aged Queen Elizabeth. Sophie Mutevelian/Netflix; Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Oscar winner Olivia Colman (The Favourite) succeeded Foy as Queen Elizabeth II, portraying the monarch in seasons 3 and 4. Like Foy, Colman received Emmy and Golden Globe awards for her work as the matriarch of the royal family at middle age.

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Tobias Menzies and Prince Philip

Tobias Menzies; middle-aged Prince Philip. Sophie Mutevelian/Netflix; George Freston/Fox Photos/Getty Images

Game of Thrones and Outlander vet Tobias Menzies took over the role of Prince Philip in seasons 3 and 4, and won an Emmy for his performance in 2021.

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Helena Bonham Carter and Princess Margaret

Helena Bonham Carter; middle-aged Princess Margaret. Sophie Mutevelian/Netflix; Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images

Double Oscar nominee Helena Bonham Carter took on the role of the queen's younger sister in season 3 and season 4, and was nominated for multiple Emmys and Golden Globes for her work.

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Erin Doherty and Princess Anne

Erin Doherty; Princess Anne. Des Willie / Netflix; Anwar Hussein/Getty Images

Erin Doherty starred as Princess Anne, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip's daughter, starting in season 3. She, along with the rest of the main cast those two seasons, won at the 2020 and 2021 SAG awards for Best Drama Ensemble.

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Josh O'Connor and Prince Charles

Josh O'Connor; Prince Charles. Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images

Josh O'Connor played Charles — the queen's eldest son and heir to the throne — in seasons 3 and 4. He won both an Emmy and a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Prince Charles in his younger years.

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Emerald Fennell and Camilla Parker Bowles

Emerald Fennell; Camilla Parker Bowles. Colin Hutton / Netflix; Frank Barratt/Keystone/Getty Images

Oscar-winning Promising Young Woman writer-director Emerald Fennell portrayed Camilla Parker Bowles (née Camilla Shand) in seasons 3 and 4, earning an Emmy nomination for the latter.

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Emma Corrin and Princess Diana

Emma Corrin; Princess Diana. Des Willie/Netflix; Tim Graham/Getty Images

Pennyworth alum Emma Corrin took on the role of Diana, Princess of Wales in season 4, and earned a Golden Globe and an Emmy nomination for their performance.

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Gillian Anderson and Margaret Thatcher

Gillian Anderson; Margaret Thatcher. Des Willie/Netflix; Jean GUICHARD/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

Gillian Anderson played Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in season 4 of the Netflix period drama, winning an Emmy, a Golden Globe, and two SAG awards (for Drama Female Actor, and as part of the ensemble cast).

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Imelda Staunton and Queen Elizabeth II

Harry Potter alum/Oscar nominee Imelda Staunton played an older Queen Elizabeth II in the fifth and sixth seasons of The Crown.

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Lesley Manville and Princess Margaret

Lesley Manville; Princess Margaret. Bennett Raglin/Getty Images; Bettmann Archive

Oscar nominee Lesley Manville (Phantom Thread) portrayed an older Princess Margaret in seasons 5 and 6.

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Jonathan Pryce and Prince Philip

Jonathan Pryce; older Prince Philip. Kevin Winter/Getty Images; Alastair Grant - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Oscar nominee Jonathan Pryce (The Two Popes) played Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in seasons 5 and 6 of The Crown.

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Elizabeth Debicki and Princess Diana

Elizabeth Debicki; Princess Diana. Netflix; Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images

Tenet actress Elizabeth Debicki played Princess Diana in seasons 5 and 6, following Emma Corrin's portrayal of the late royal, winning a Golden Globe and earning nominations from the Emmys and SAG awards for her turn.

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