FANS of The Crown are thrilled the Royal Family saga is returning for a new series.
As the Netflix show is entering a new era, a new cast has been recruited, which means a new actress now takes on the role of Princess Anne.
Claudia Harrison plays Princess Anne in The Crown – seen here shooting a scene in 2021
Who plays Princess Anne in The Crown?
The Crown season 5 sees a brand new cast taking over the reins.
The new series sees actress Claudia Harrison take over the role of Princess Anne.
Despite being an actress for over 20 years, this is her first MAJOR role.
She has though also appeared in Delicious, and Humans.
Who else has played Princess Anne in The Crown?
In seasons 3 and 4, Anne was portrayed by Erin Doherty in the last two seasons of The Crown.
The actress was praised for her interpretation whereas producers were commended for choosing Erin as, in the show, her resemblance with a young Princess Anne is uncanny.
However, when speaking about her performance in the drama to Town & Country, she noted that she had nothing in common with the princess.
“I don’t think I’m similar to Anne at all. I really don’t”, she first said.
“And in a way, that’s what drew me to this woman. I’ve never been given an opportunity to play anyone like that.”
“I feel like she taught me so much about just being honest. And that’s actually what any given situation probably needs, even though it’s the hardest thing to do.”
What are the main storylines about Princess Anne in The Crown?
Fans were disappointed to see that Princess Anne’s attempted kidnapping was not a part of The Crown’s plot.
Many other storylines were centred around the princess.
An intermittent affair with Andrew Parker Bowles
Erin Doherty as Princess Anne in The Crown
In season three of The Crown, Princess Anne makes a few sporadic appearances, first taking care of paternal grandmother, Princess Alice.
As her brother Charles quickly finds himself in a love triangle with Camilla and Andrew Parker Bowles, however, a scene suggests that the polo player was taken on as a lover by the princess royal.
The affair is then brought to the attention of Queen Elizabeth in episode nine.
But soon, Andrew returns to Camilla after his affair with the princess.
A strained relationship with the Queen
Erin Doherty has been praised for her interpretation of Princess Anne
As season four begins, Anne’s appearances become more frequent.
But in the fourth episode, titled Favourites, her somewhat strained relationship with Queen Elizabeth is more apparent.
When Philip mentions that Anne is his favourite of their four children, the Queen sets up one-on-one meetings with each of them.
Overwhelmed by her role as Queen, Elizabeth has little time for her children and tries to find out more about them.
Princess Anne’s love life is mentioned in The Crown
The monarch organises a picnic with her only daughter, but the meeting gradually turns sour when she mentions her daughter’s marriage to Mark Phillips, the father of her two children, Zara and Peter.
The Queen more notably mentions rumours concerning an affair between Princess Anne and her bodyguard, Sergeant Peter Cross. Rumours which encourage her to make a drastic decision.
In light of the gossip surrounding Anne, Elizabeth informs her daughter that Scotland Yard has decided that Peter will be reassigned to “desk duties”, despite the princess’ pleas.
Anne admits her affair with her bodyguard
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Confronted with her mother and Scotland Yard’s decision, Anne pleads with her by admitting her feelings for Peter.
“Don’t do that to me. You can’t. He’s the one thing that makes me happy”, she frantically says.
Despite her best efforts, the punishment appears to be final.
Anne is jealous of Princess Diana
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It is during that same picnic with Queen Elizabeth that Anne half-heartedly admits her jealousy of Princess Diana.
Anne talks of her frustration of being disregarded by the press, unlike her sister-in-law who, in contrast, grabs all the attention.
“It’s not easy, working in the heat and squalor of third-world countries doing real work, for real charities”, she laments, still in the the fourth episode of season four.
“Do I get as much as a mention in any newspaper? Or a thank you? (…) Yet all she has to do is put on a frock and she’s over all the front pages and everyone’s falling over in shock at how wonderful she is.”
A jealousy she shares with brother Charles, tired of seeing the spotlight taken away from him.
Anne acts as an important support for her brother
Season four of The Crown mainly focuses on Charles’ marriage with Diana
As the fourth season of The Crown mainly focuses on Charles and Diana’s marriage, Anne does intervene to express her opinions on their relationship.
She is therefore present at Balmoral Castle when Emma Corrin’s Diana goes through the “Balmoral test”, in episode two.
In the third episode, she expresses her disagreement with Charles and Diana’s marriage.
But her advice receives Charles’ unwavering attention in the ninth episode of the season, titled Avalanche.
Well aware of her older brother’s affair with Camilla, she tells him he shouldn’t be delusional about their relationship, meaning that he shouldn’t expect to be allowed to remain involved with her.
Camilla soon repeats her words, telling him that they must remain realistic about their affair.
Nevertheless, Charles remains oblivious and continues to ignore his wife, Diana, encouraging her to seek refuge in the arms of James Hewitt.
