Queen Of Parts Olivia's Royal Double Act

The Acclaimed Star Brings Her Majesty To The Masses.

- Judy Kean

English actress Olivia Colman is rapidly cornering the market in playing queens.

She’s taken over from Claire Foy to play Elizabeth II in the third series of The Crown and also stars as Queen Anne in the movie The Favourite. But her regal roles haven’t made her immune to the real-life thrill of going to Buckingham Palace to meet actual royals.

When Olivia and her husband Ed Sinclair were invited to a charity reception at the palace in June, hosted by Prince William (unfortunately she didn’t get to meet the Queen), the Broadchurch star was so excited she instructed actor and writer Ed to bring home a souvenir.

Being a devoted husband, Ed did as he was told and helped himself to palace property from one of the bathrooms.

“We got two squares of loo roll, just to say, ‘We got it from Buckingham Palace,’” says a proud Olivia.

The mum-of-three couldn’t resist asking William if he watched The Crown. “He said, ‘No, no dear, I don’t watch it,’” recounts Olivia. “But maybe he can’t say he watches it.” One thing we do know is that when the Netflix series returns this year, Olivia is likely to turn in a stunning performance as the Queen. The actress (44) has admitted to feeling nervous about stepping into Claire’s shoes, as well as playing such a well-known person, “because everyone knows what the Queen looks like, what she sounds like, and everyone is in love with Claire Foy, including me.”