Friday 9 September 2022 05:40 PM Imelda Staunton is seen leaving the set of The Crown as filming halts before ... trends now
Imelda Staunton was pictured dressed as the Queen while leaving the set of The Crown just hours before the news of Her Majesty's death was announced on Thursday evening.
The images come as it was revealed filming on the Royal drama has been suspended filming for just two days as a mark of respect for the late monarch, who passed away aged 96 on Thursday afternoon at Balmoral Castle.
When the cast and crew return they will be covering Princess Diana's death in 1997 and the Queen will be seen in mourning clothes in the days after the news was announced.
Filming: Imelda Staunton was seen leaving the set of The Crown on Thursday as filming halted just hours before news of Queen Elizabeth II's death at the age of 96
The actress, who is playing an older version of Her Majesty in the Netflix series following predecessors Claire Foy and Olivia Colman, was seen in character as she prepared to leave the set on Thursday afternoon.
Imelda sported a green and navy blue checkered co-ord set, featuring a midi skirt and a jacket, as she headed to her vehicle on set.
Imelda was seen sheltering under an umbrella and wearing a black coat as she spoke to members of the cast and crew.
Rows of cars were seen lining up outside the cast members' trailers as they piled into their vehicles and departed the set, hours before the news of the Queen's death.
Lesley Manville, who plays Princess Margaret, and new star Rufus Kampa, starring as Prince William, were also seen on set on Thursday afternoon.
Queen Elizabeth II, Britain's longest reigning monarch who was on the throne for 70 years, died at the age of 96, Buckingham Palace announced at 6.30pm on Thursday.
Loss: Queen Elizabeth II (pictured in 1999), Britain's longest reigning monarch, died at the age of 96, Buckingham Palace announced at 6.30pm on Thursday
Leaving: The actress, 66, who is playing Her Majesty in the Netflix series, was seen in character as she prepared to leave set on Thursday afternoon before the sad news
Exit: Rows of cars were seen lining up outside the casts' trailers as they piled into their vehicles and departed the set
Following the sad news, filming for The Crown has been halted a sign of respect, a spokesperson for The Crown confirmed.
A scene covering Princess Diana's tragic death in Paris in August 1997 was scheduled to be filmed on Thursday in Barcelona, Spain, but has been postponed.
SER Catalunya reported scenes that would cover Princess Diana's death in August 1997 were being suspended.
The set, which had been built in a district of Barcelona, had been modified to resemble a Parisian street with French road signs.
In character: Imelda was seen in character as The Queen as she headed towards her car
Rainy day: Imelda was seen sheltering under an umbrella and wearing a black coat as she spoke to members of the cast and crew
Sheltering: Imelda was seen wrapped up in an umbrella and raincoat as she prepared to leave set on Thursday
The decision not to film on Thursday comes as the Netflix show announced it will also suspend filming on the day of Her Majesty's funeral.
A spokesperson for The Crown said: 'As a mark of respect, filming on The Crown was suspended today. Filming will also be suspended on the day of Her Majesty The Queen’s funeral.'
The final two series of The Crown will cover the Royal Family's history throughout the 1990s and into 2003, it is not yet known which moments will be seen.
Imelda recently took over the role from Olivia Coleman, who played the Queen throughout the second and third series, while Claire Foy originally starred as the monarch.
Farewell: Imelda was seen waving goodbye to cast and crew as she finished filming scenes
Co-star: Lesley Manville, who plays Princess Margaret, was also seen on set on Thursday afternoon
Storyline: The final two series of The Crown will cover the Royal Family's history throughout the 1990s and into 2003, it is not yet known which moments will be seen
Role: Lesley has taken over the role of Princess Margeret from Helena Bonham Carter, while Vanessa Kirby also played the role
Jonathan Pryce is playing Prince Philip, who is also new to the series, and picks up the role from Tobias Menzies.
The sad news of the Queen's death was announced by Buckingham Palace at 6.30pm on Thursday.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: 'The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.'
New face: Taking on the main role, Imelda Staunton will replace Olivia Colman as The Queen, while she was also previously played by Claire Foy
