The Crown sets up Winchester Cathedral for filming as the crew prepares to recreate Princess Diana’s funeral ahead of the final series

Filming for the sixth and final series of The Crown is well underway, as the Netflix hits prepares its sixth and final series.

Crew members from the Netflix hit were seen setting up Winchester Cathedral on Saturday as they prepared to film scene’s for Princess Diana’s funeral.

Fans are eagerly awaiting its release later this year, but the show is already courting controversy with its plans to depict the tragic death of Diana.

Filming: Crew members from The Crown were seen setting up Winchester Cathedral on Saturday as they prepared to film scene's for Princess Diana's funeral
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Filming: Crew members from The Crown were seen setting up Winchester Cathedral on Saturday as they prepared to film scene’s for Princess Diana’s funeral

The stunning Gothic church was seen with cordons in place and location trucks on site at the weekend.

Boxes of red and white roses were seen scattered across the floor, with lighting and scaffolding in place.

Winchester Cathedral is being as a substitute for Westminster Abbey, where the late Princess’ funeral took place on 6 September 1997.

On screen: Fans are eagerly awaiting its release later this year, but the show is already courting controversy with its plans to depict the tragic death of Diana (Dominic West as Prince Charles and Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana in series five)
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On screen: Fans are eagerly awaiting its release later this year, but the show is already courting controversy with its plans to depict the tragic death of Diana (Dominic West as Prince Charles and Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana in series five)

Location: Boxes of red and white roses were seen scattered across the floor
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Location: Boxes of red and white roses were seen scattered across the floor

Venue: Winchester Cathedral is being as a substitute for Westminster Abbey
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Venue: Winchester Cathedral is being as a substitute for Westminster Abbey

Funeral: Diana's funeral took place on September 6, 1997 at Westminster Abbey (King Charles, Prince Harry, Prince William and Prince Philip all pictured at the funeral)
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Funeral: Diana’s funeral took place on September 6, 1997 at Westminster Abbey (King Charles, Prince Harry, Prince William and Prince Philip all pictured at the funeral)

Show: The scenes will form part of The Crown's final series , which is expected to be released later in 2023 (Diana pictured in 1987)
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Show: The scenes will form part of The Crown’s final series , which is expected to be released later in 2023 (Diana pictured in 1987)

It will be closed to visitors later this month, on January 24 and 25, according to the Cathedral’s website, which is when filming is believed to be taking place.

The cast and crew filmed the funeral procession in October, the Royal Standard is draped over the coffin on the gun carriage – just as it was in real life – while actors dressed in the ceremonial uniform of the Welsh Guards march alongside.

The scene depicting a grief-stricken William and Prince Harry – then aged 15 and 12 – was filmed in secrecy at a disused RAF base.

On set: The stunning Gothic church had cordons in place at the weekend
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On set: The stunning Gothic church had cordons in place at the weekend

Breathtaking: Pictures from inside the Cathedral show it's incredible interior
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Breathtaking: Pictures from inside the Cathedral show it’s incredible interior

Decorative: An elaborate gold alter was seen in the church
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Decorative: An elaborate gold alter was seen in the church

Flowers: Props were pictured scattered around the church
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Flowers: Props were pictured scattered around the church

The car accident that took Princess Diana’s life occurred shortly after midnight on August 31, 1997, in Paris. Diana was alive when she was rushed to hospital, but eventually succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead hours later.

The Queen was vacationing with William and Harry, ages 15 and 12 at the time, at their Balmoral estate in Scotland at the time. In the middle of the night, she was informed of the accident through her secretary, but she decided to not wake the boys.

Instead, the Queen instructed her staff to remove all TVs and radios from the castle to ensure the young princes wouldn’t hear the traumatic details surrounding the accident. When the boys finally learned of Diana’s death, Harry begged Charles to allow him to accompany him to Paris to retrieve her body, but he was told to stay behind.

To the public’s dismay, Her Majesty and the family stayed at Balmoral until Prince Charles returned and boarded a plane to London with the young princes on September 5. Although the princes typically aren’t allowed to fly together, the Queen granted special permission considering the devastating circumstances.

When they arrived at Buckingham Palace, Prince Charles walked around with the young princes. They shook hands with the mourning crowd and watched people wipe away tears.

Tributes: When Princes Charles and the young royals arrived home for their mother's funeral, they walked along the street to take in the thousands of bouquets and cards left outside their home
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Tributes: When Princes Charles and the young royals arrived home for their mother’s funeral, they walked along the street to take in the thousands of bouquets and cards left outside their home

Harry later recalled thinking, as he stared at the thousands of flowers and the grief-stricken crowd, ‘How is it that so many people that never met my mother can be feeling more emotion than I am?’

Later that day, the Queen addressed the nation. It marked the second time in her reign that she has made a special address – the first was on February 1991 during the first Gulf War. She offered her condolences for the passing of her former daughter-in-law and explained that the family had delayed their return to London to allow William and Harry to grieve privately in Scotland.

That night, Princess Diana’s casket was brought into the palace, the place she had called home since 1981.

Emotional: The young princes shook hands with the crowd and felt mourners tears on their palms. Harry later recalled thinking, as he stared at the thousands of flowers and the grief-stricken crowd, 'How is it that so many people that never met my mother can be feeling more emotion than I am?'
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Emotional: The young princes shook hands with the crowd and felt mourners tears on their palms. Harry later recalled thinking, as he stared at the thousands of flowers and the grief-stricken crowd, ‘How is it that so many people that never met my mother can be feeling more emotion than I am?’

As is tradition for British royals, and despite no longer being married to Prince Charles, Diana was given a royal funeral. As such, Princess Diana was buried in the traditional lead-lined coffin. The coffins can be sealed airtight, slowing the decomposition of the body and preserving it for up to a year.

Eight soldiers were chosen to carry Diana’s coffin. To ensure the pallbearers could carry the 700-pound coffin, they practiced with a concrete stone and wore metal studs on their shoes. One pallbearer, Phillip Bartlet, later recalled that the metal and slick surface of the Abbey’s marble floor made it feel ‘like an ice skating rink’.

Another pallbearer, Nigel Enright, said he’ll never forget the looks on Diana’s sons’ faces. He added: ‘It wasn’t until it was all over that the emotion finally took hold, though. I don’t mind admitting we cried and cried for hours when we were back at the stables we used as a base.’

Tradition: As is tradition for British royals, and although she was no longer married to Charles, Diana was given a royal funeral. As such, Princess Diana was buried in the traditional lead-lined coffin, which weighed an astounding 700 pounds
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Tradition: As is tradition for British royals, and although she was no longer married to Charles, Diana was given a royal funeral. As such, Princess Diana was buried in the traditional lead-lined coffin, which weighed an astounding 700 pounds

Amid filming, those close to the Royal Family lambasted the Netflix series as ‘crude, cruel and totally insensitive, particularly in light of the Queen’s death’.

The scenes will form part of The Crown’s final series, which is expected to be released later in 2023.

Imelda Staunton will reprise her role as Queen Elizabeth II, with Jonathan Pryce playing her husband Prince Philip.

Elizabeth Debicki will once again appear as Princess Diana in the build-up to her death, while Dominic West plays Prince Charles.

Preparing: Stage lighting was seen going up inside the venue
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Preparing: Stage lighting was seen going up inside the venue

Getting ready: Location trucks were seen on site whilst scaffolding went up outside
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Getting ready: Location trucks were seen on site whilst scaffolding went up outside

Visitors: Certain sections are still open to the public whilst the begins slowly
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Visitors: Certain sections are still open to the public whilst the begins slowly

On Friday fans of the show saw London’s Canary Wharf transformed into 1990s Chicago, to recreate a journey undertaken by the US President.

Given the time period that The Crown is expected to cover during its final series, the scene will likely cover the Presidency of Bill Clinton, who was elected in 1993.

Princess Diana previously visited Chicago in 1996, 14 months before her death, though The Crown’s sixth series is expected to pick up in the following year.

Staff: Crew members were seen outside wearing padded jackets with dogs
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Staff: Crew members were seen outside wearing padded jackets with dogs

Coming soon: The set up for the series appeared to be extensive
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Coming soon: The set up for the series appeared to be extensive

Protection: A dog was seen on site guarding the area
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Protection: A dog was seen on site guarding the area

The Crown: Queen Elizabeth celebrates Lady Susan Hussey’s birthday

Series five of The Crown has been subject to plenty of criticism due to the touchy topic of King Charles and his marriage to Diana, following its release on Netflix in November.

Many argued that filming scenes leading up to Princess Diana’s death in Paris were insensitive – as well as the series going ahead with its launch not long after the Queen’s death in September last year.

Focusing heavily on the fallout between Princess Diana, played by Debicki and King Charles (then Prince of Wales) as portrayed by West, the new series showcased a number of low points for the royals.

This year: The scenes will form part of The Crown's final series , which is expected to be released later in 2023
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This year: The scenes will form part of The Crown’s final series , which is expected to be released later in 2023

Controversy: Amid filming, those close to the Royal Family lambasted the Netflix series as 'crude, cruel and totally insensitive , particularly in light of the Queen's death'
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Controversy: Amid filming, those close to the Royal Family lambasted the Netflix series as ‘crude, cruel and totally insensitive , particularly in light of the Queen’s death’

Among them are Charles and Diana’s marriage breakdown, the late royal’s controversial Panorama interview and the notorious ‘tampongate’ phone call between the King and Queen Consort.

One of the most controversial aspects of the series is how it will tackle the death of Diana, with Netflix facing scrutiny over the decision to recreate the final days of Princess Diana, shooting some scenes in Paris, where she died.

It followed accusations of callousness amid reports the show will recreate the Paris car chase that resulted in Diana’s death and scenes of young princes William and Harry following their mother’s coffin. The exact moment of the crash will not be shown.

Follow up: Series five of The Crown has been subject to plenty of criticism due to the touchy topic of King Charles and his marriage to Diana, following its release on Netflix in November
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Follow up: Series five of The Crown has been subject to plenty of criticism due to the touchy topic of King Charles and his marriage to Diana, following its release on Netflix in November

Next: One of the most controversial aspects of the series is how it will tackle the death of Diana, with Netflix facing scrutiny over the decision to recreate the final days of Princess Diana
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Next: One of the most controversial aspects of the series is how it will tackle the death of Diana, with Netflix facing scrutiny over the decision to recreate the final days of Princess Diana

Acting royalty Dame Judi Dench, who is close to King Charles and Camilla, has accused the programme of being ‘crude and hurtful’.

Dame Judi, 87, who has played Elizabeth I and Queen Victoria, told The Times the series risked damaging the monarchy. The Oscar-winning actress blamed it for ‘crude sensationalism’ and blurring fact and fiction.

Former Prime Minister Sir John Major criticised a scene which shows him having a conversation with then Prince Charles about the possibility of the Queen abdicating as ‘malicious nonsense’.

Last one: The final series will cover the Royal Family's history from 1997 to 2003
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Last one: The final series will cover the Royal Family’s history from 1997 to 2003

Tough: It followed accusations of callousness amid reports the show will recreate the Paris car chase that resulted in Diana's death (L-R Elizabeth Debicki, Will Powell, Senan West and Dominic West)
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Tough: It followed accusations of callousness amid reports the show will recreate the Paris car chase that resulted in Diana’s death (L-R Elizabeth Debicki, Will Powell, Senan West and Dominic West)

Recently, The Crown star Gillian Anderson, who played Margaret Thatcher in series four, hit back at the comments – and argues that the series could have been far more damaging.

Speaking to The Daily Mail’s Richard Eden, Gillian said: ‘There’s a lot of researchers involved, and a lot of people checking and double-checking and triple-checking.

‘There’s a lot that has not been written about that could be written about. And if you knew the difference in those, you’d see there is a great deal of kindness and restraint.’

She adds: ‘At the end of the day, there are incredibly compassionate and well-rounded takes on human beings.

‘And what you’re left with is properly, maturely drawn, complex characters. And there’s a lot that’s in there that one has to say, ‘If you didn’t do it, we wouldn’t be writing about it’.’

Scenes: Acting royalty Dame Judi Dench, who is close to King Charles and Camilla, has accused the programme of being 'crude and hurtful' (Elizabeth Debicki as Diana in season five)
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Scenes: Acting royalty Dame Judi Dench, who is close to King Charles and Camilla, has accused the programme of being ‘crude and hurtful’ (Elizabeth Debicki as Diana in season five)

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