THE CREATION OF Kristen

A child star who experienced the intense glare of fame as a teen, Kristen Stewart knew exactly what to draw on in her portrayal of Princess Diana. No wonder, then, that the film is set to earn the actress her first Oscar nomination.

- James Mottram

On a bright sunny October day, tourists and residents sip tea in the courtyard of the Corinthia. Upstairs in this tranquil five-star London hotel, in a second-floor suite, is Kristen Stewart. Meeting Hollywood stars can sometimes feel like being ushered into the presence of royalty, but Stewart is different. There are no airs and graces. She slips off her white stilettos and, barefoot, takes up a Buddha-like pose on the brown chaise longue in front of me.

The 31 year-old is having what might be considered a “moment” – a hugely significant year both professionally and personally. Her new movie, Spencer, sees her unveil a magnetic performance as British royal Diana, Princess of Wales, whose death in 1997 threw the world into mourning. Stewart was seven years old when Diana was killed in a car crash in Paris, but the collective outpouring of grief left a lasting impression. “I remember flowers in front of Buckingham Palace,” she says. “And I remember people reacting like something really happened.”

Twenty-four years later, Diana remains a global icon. This past year has seen a titular musical hit on Broadway, while Netflix show The Crown introduced the beloved princess – played by Emma Corrin – into its compelling take on the British royals. “I am a real fan of the show,” says Stewart, who binged the first four seasons over three nights when she got the role. With Australia’s Elizabeth Debicki playing Diana in season five, set in the same early Nineties-era as Spencer, comparisons will be inevitable.