The Crown’s Imelda Staunton looks worlds away from Her Majesty The Queen as she sports a funky bob and boots at screening of the Netflix show

By William On Dec 17, 2023

The Crown's Imelda Staunton looked worlds away from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as she attended a screening of the latest episode of the Netflix show in London on Sunday.

The 67-year-old actress, who plays the monarch in the series, left the royal regalia at home and instead opted for a chic olive sweater and matching trousers.

Imelda also wore a funky youthful bob for the BFI Southbank event and tucked her feet into a pair of chunky brown boots.

She was joined by the show's director, Stephen Daldry, 63, as they later took to the stage to answer questions after the screening.

Imelda previously revealed she was 'inconsolable' after learning The Queen had died while filming The Crown in September 2022.

The Crown's Imelda Staunton, 67, looked worlds away from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as she attended a screening of the latest episode of the Netflix show in London on Sunday

The actress, who plays the monarch in the series, left the royal regalia at home and instead opted for a chic olive sweater and matching trousers (right, pictured on the show)

Speaking on the Graham Norton Show, she said: 'Lesley Manville (who plays Princes Margaret) and I were filming and were told there might be some sad news and were asked if we wanted to continue.

'We carried on and finished the day. Strangely enough, in the schedule I had 10 days off, which were the 10 days of mourning. I was inconsolable that evening.

'Of course I would have been sad, but I think it was fueled by living with her for so long. I think when I went back to work people found it hard to look at me.”

The star also spoke about playing The Crown's final version of Elizabeth II, having previously been played by Claire Foy and Olivia Colman.

Imelda said: 'Everyone knows this version of her, so it felt very present and I felt a little bit more pressure.

“In these last six episodes, there are specific issues that she was dealing with at this point in her reign, which is dramatically interesting to play: Margaret is gone, the Queen Mother, and we have Charles and Camilla.”

Imelda also spoke about Elizabeth's memorable speech to the nation after Princess Diana's death in 1997.

She said: 'I listened to it every moment of the day for I don't know how long. When we came to do it, I didn't talk to anyone because it was a very serious moment and a serious time, and I thought I would try to recreate that. It was very quiet on set and I got lost in the moment.'

Imelda also wore a funky youthful bob for the BFI Southbank event and tucked her feet into a pair of chunky brown boots

She was joined by the show's director, Stephen Daldry, 63, as they later took to the stage to answer questions after the screening

The filmmaker was effortlessly stylish in a navy blue corduroy jacket

Imelda previously revealed she was 'inconsolable' after learning The Queen had died while filming The Crown in September 2022

As the infamous royal family drama came to an end, viewers quickly admitted on social media that they were “heartbroken.”

They shared their dismay that The Crown was finally coming to an end after six series and told how the final scenes were 'so sad'.

On X – formerly known as Twitter – someone wrote: “I just finished season 6 of The Crown, part 2. Oh my God. Wow.'

A second said: 'Okay this is really sad,' while a third said: 'The Crown final is so sad.'

A third tweeted: “The final episodes are out… (broken heart emoji),” and another wrote: “The Ritz episode. Heartbreaking. And absolutely beautiful.'

Another added: 'This show was absolutely stunning and so well done. I will miss it so much. Thank you Peter Morgan.”

Speaking on the Graham Norton Show, she said: 'Lesley Manville (who plays Princes Margaret) and I were filming and were told there might be some sad news and were asked if we wanted to continue

'We carried on and finished the day. Strangely enough, in the schedule I had 10 days off, which were the 10 days of mourning. I was inconsolable that night (Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2021)

Viewers also praised the show for briefly bringing back former stars Claire Foy and Olivia Colman, who played Queen Elizabeth II in the earlier series.

The moving scene saw the two actresses appear on the shoulder of Imelda Staunton, the last actress to take on the role, in the drama's closing moments.

However, the second half of series six received a very mixed response from reviewers, with the introduction of Kate (Meg Bellamy) and William (Ed McVey) in St. Andrews receiving a lukewarm reception.

Some were also critical of that the image of Carole Middleton's desperate attempts to make a match for her daughter.

'A Mediocre Ending': Reviews of The Crown Series Six Part Two

The independent: **

“But when it comes to The Crown and What If?, the biggest question is this: What if this massive show hadn't wasted its once-golden potential?

“As the final six episodes arrive on Netflix, bringing a half-century saga to a close, Morgan's drama is haunted by the ghost of faded glory.”

The Telegraph: **

'Farewell then to The Crown (Netflix), a show that started as a sublime period drama – interesting history, fantastic dresses, a luminous Claire Foy – and ends up as a Hallmark Channel movie in which the Queen has a nightmare about Tony and Cherie becomes Blair crowned in Westminster Abbey with the new anthem Things Can Only Get Better, and William and Kate's dreamy first kiss is interrupted by a royal protection officer announcing the death of the Queen Mother.'

The times: ***

While moving at points, the second part of season six of the Netflix phenomenon is an occasionally silly coda to a bloated drama

“I suppose it was inevitable that The Crown would collapse in energy immediately after the seismic event of Princess Diana's death, but I didn't expect that watching it would make me feel like I was slogging through porridge.

'The devastating aftermath for William and Harry, and their resentment towards their father, should be hugely dramatic. But strangely enough it's been made quite boring.'

Evening standard: ****

'If you liked the previous series of The Crown, chances are you'll like this one too. And if this sounds like faint praise, this is the best I can do.

“This is intended to be the final season of The Crown, and I would urge Peter Morgan to stick to this point. Anything beyond that would feature royals who are a poor substitute for the great characters of the twentieth century. Leave it at this…please? You've made us happy enough.'

Radio times: ****

“It may not represent The Crown at the height of its power – that moment is long gone and it was always going to be that way as the timeline approached recent memory.

'However, it still means a return to form by going back to basics, but at the same time always keeping an eye on the future.'

The me:****

'If you missed what you used to think about The crown – that elegant, strangely nostalgic (even for things you don't remember) exploration of changing national identity – good news. It's back!

'After 54 episodes and 143 awards since its premiere in 2017, and with six episodes to go after a sloppy first part of the last series, creator Peter Morgan has gone back to basics. It's a pleasure.'