RISING STARS: 'I was at work in Legoland when I heard I'd got the role'

Newcomers Meg Bellamy, Ed McVey and Luther Ford on playing young royals Kate, William and Harry in the final episodes of The Crown

- ADAM TANSWELL

The sixth and final series of The Crown has already gripped fans after the first four episodes aired on Netflix last month. In emotional scenes, it followed the final days of Princess Diana's life, including her relationship with Dodi Al Fayed and their fatal 1997 car crash in Paris.

The second instalment, which drops this week, shifts focus to the next generation of royals - and stars Ed McVey, 24, as Prince William, Luther Ford, 23, as Prince Harry and Meg Bellamy, 21, as Kate Middleton.

The show's creator Peter Morgan previously teased big things for the finale, saying, "In season six, the arrival of William and Kate and Harry just blows the doors off." And when we catch up with the newcomers at a press conference via Zoom, it certainly sounds like there's a lot in store.

Viewers will see William and Kate's romance play out after they famously met at the University of St Andrews in 2001. Kate reportedly caught William's eye when she wore a revealing dress at a charity fashion show. Ed says it was "exciting" to be a part of their love story, while Meg adds, "I loved playing the friction and the tension."

Here, Ed, Luther and Meg open up about landing their roles and what it's like portraying the famous young royals...

How did you feel when you first discovered you’d been cast in The Crown?

Meg: I was at work at Legoland when I found out. Obviously, you can’t tell anyone, so I had this call in the parking lot delivery bit where reversing lorries are beeping and people are unloading bins. And then I came back in, and you have to pretend to care. I was totally in shock. It was insane. It had been a long process and a roller coaster. By the time we finally got the confirmation, I was so excited. It was unbelievable and it still is every day.