Netflix’s The Crown aired “two hours” before Prince William visited his great-grandmother’s grave in Israel, an actress from the programme has revealed.
Jane Lapotaire was awarded a CBE for her contributions to drama during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on Tuesday, with King Charles presenting the honour.
The 81-year-old actress, who portrayed Princess Alice in the Netflix series The Crown, described the experience of playing the monarch’s grandmother as “a privilege.”
Ms Lapotaire revealed she has maintained correspondence with the King dating back to her performance as Catherine of Aragon with the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford.
Netflix’s The Crown aired ‘two hours’ before Prince William visited great-grandmother’s grave in Israel
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NETFLIX / GETTY
“It was a privilege to play her,” she said of Princess Alice. The actress also admitted being “a bit partial to His Majesty.”
Ms Lapotaire spoke warmly of Princess Alice, describing her as “an extraordinary woman who gave her whole life to the poor and sick.”
The actress noted a distinctive aspect of the royal’s character: “She wasn’t affiliated to any convent, but she insisted on wearing a nun’s outfit.”
The impact of The Crown’s portrayal of Princess Alice appeared to resonate with the Royal Family. Ms Lapotaire revealed that “about two hours” after her series aired, Prince William visited his great-grandmother’s grave in Israel.
Jane Lapotaire receiving her CBE from King Charles today
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PA
The Prince of Wales was visiting Israel, the West Bank, and Jordan from June 24 to June 28, 2018, marking the first-ever official visit to Israel by a member of the British Royal Family.
Requested by the British Government, the non-political, four-day trip focused on celebrating young people, meeting locals, and visiting historic sites.
Princess Alice, the King’s grandmother, dedicated herself to charitable work throughout her life.
Sir Andrew Mitchell was also among those honoured at Tuesday’s ceremony, receiving a knighthood for his work as former secretary of state for international development.
Jane Lapotaire presenting her award to the press pack after the ceremony
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REUTERS
The politician credited his constituents with the recognition, expressing both honour and humility on the occasion.
“I’m so honoured and humbled, and it’s been a wonderful day to be here for my family, but this is an honour which in truth belongs to my constituents in the royal town of Sutton Coldfield who’ve put up with me now for a quarter of a century,” he said.
Sir Andrew thanked those he represents for their enduring support over 25 years.
Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell received one of the highest honours at the ceremony, being made a Companion of Honour for her contributions to astronomy, physics and diversity.
Prince William pictured at Princess Alice’s grave in 2018
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GETTY
The visiting Oxford University professor reflected on the progress women have made in the physical sciences since her undergraduate days.
“When I was an undergraduate, there were 49 men and me, which was pretty rough,” she said.
Dame Jocelyn noted that while women remain a minority, approximately a third of students in her field are now female.
She emphasised the importance of visible role models, saying that seeing women “enjoying it, being successful, making a contribution” would help normalise female participation in science.
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