Despite playing one of the most formal families in recent history, when the cameras stop rolling on the set of The Crown you can bet there’s mischief a plenty.
Indeed as season four of the wildly popular Netflix series is hailed by many critics as the best instalment yet, fans simply can’t get enough of anything Crown-related.
And if you, like us, have inhaled the season in one swift binge session, you may find yourself researching every facet of the show. From whether Princess Diana’s older sister Sarah really did date Prince Charles before they got together to what The Queen’s relationship with PM Margaret Thatcher was really like, and of course, devouring all of the show-stopping royal fashion.
But what about the famous faces bringing to life the trials and tribulations of the British Royal Family? Do they get on?
Well, if these glorious behind-the-scenes photos are anything to go by, it looks like the cast and crew of the The Crown are one big happy family.
In fact actress Emma Corrin, who plays Princess Diana, says she found a firm friend and mentor in Helena Bonham Carter (Princess Margaret).
“She instantly took me under her wing in a wonderful way, that I’m so appreciative of because it’s really meant a lot,” the 24-year-old told Town and Country.
When asked by her co-star Olivia Colman, who plays The Queen, who Emma enjoyed working with most, she said she formed a strong connection with Josh O’Connor (Prince Charles) but loved working with everyone.
“I always think the funnest thing was when we had those days when we were all together. Which was quite rare, [the] family scenes. At the end of the day, it felt like we’d done a family Christmas. In a good way,” she explained.
Keep scrolling as we take a look at the best behind-the-scenes photos from season four of The Crown!
“The wedding dress was a huge, huge thing. It went on very gradually and there were so many fittings for hours,” Emma explained to The Australian Women’s Weekly of re-creating Princess Diana and Prince Charles’ iconic 1981 wedding day.
“When I put my wig on, it was almost quite terrifying because the significance of that image for people is massive.”
The Crown’s Emma Corrin shows incredible BTS footage from Princess Diana’s wedding dress scenes
Mullet vs. mullet: Who wore it better – George Michael or Emma Corrin as Princess Diana?
Emma’s Diana wig goes rogue!
Charles and Di, unfiltered!
Can you spot the two issues of The Australian Women’s Weekly among the magazine haul?
Charles and Di off-duty: Emma Corrin and Josh O’Connor share a giggle between takes.
When old school meets new school! “Two phones,” director Benjamin Caron captioned this shot of actress Emma Corrin on her iPhone as the ’80s style landline can be pictured in the corner.
The Crown’s Emma Corrin knits between takes
“Flatmates,” the director mused next to this candid snap of Diana with her roomies.
Princess Diana in nursery school teacher mode.
The Queen like you’ve never seen her!
Becoming Margaret Thatcher: It takes hours of hair and makeup to transform Gillian Anderson into the former British PM, including an assortment of wigs.
Tobias Menzies (Prince Philip) serves some serious sass between takes.
Not to be outdone by her on-screen husband, Olivia Colman follows suit with this extremely surly expression.
Gillian Anderson shares behind-the-scenes footage from The Crown
Helena Bonham Carter serves some serious side-eye to one of the show’s directors, Benjamin Caron.
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Lights, camera, action: Tobias Menzies gets into character as Prince Philip.
Tobias and Helena appear as close as brother-and-sister-in-law off screen, too.
We imagine this is exactly what the real-life Queen’s selfie face looks like.
Behind-the-scenes of that lunch meeting between Princess Diana and Camilla Parker Bowls at the aptly named restaurant, Ménage à Trois.
Director Benjamin Caron overlooks a scene with Emma and Josh.
“The Queen of photo bombs,” Gillian Anderson captioned this animated snap.
“Choose your ibble-dibble fighter 🔥,” Olivia Colman mused.
Helena Bonham Carter ready for her post ibble dibble close-up.
“I always think the funnest thing was when we had those days when we were all together. Which was quite rare, [the] family scenes. At the end of the day, it felt like we’d done a family Christmas. In a good way,” Emma Corrin explained of working with her talented co-stars.
Gillian Anderson, director Benjamin Caron and Olivia Colman share a warm embrace.
Erin Doherty, Josh O’Connor and Helena Bonham Carter flash the bird in a London street – how very un-royal!
