The Crown actress Claire Foy 'honoured' to have played Queen Elizabeth II in Netflix show

Stockport-born actress Claire Foy has said she is “very honoured” to have been able to play the Queen in hit Netflix show, The Crown.

Claire played a young Queen Elizabeth in the first two series of the show that follows the monarch’s reign.

She is paired on screen with Matt Smith who plays a young Prince Phillip.

During the first series, the young Princess Elizabeth becomes Queen following the death of her father George VI.

The series also covers the dramatic ‘Great Smog of London’ which covered the city under the leadership of then Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

Her time playing Queen Elizabeth II ends with the birth of the Queen’s youngest child Prince Edward in March 1964.

Oscar winning actress Olivia Coleman picked up the portrayal of the Queen for the next series.

What did Claire Foy say about Queen Elizabeth II?

Speaking to the BBC, Claire reflected on the life of Queen Elizabeth II and how she felt about being able to portray the former monarch.

"I think that she was an incredible monarch.

"She united people and she was a massive symbol of continuity and dignity and grace."

"My main feeling is just thinking about her as a mother and a grandmother and a great-grandmother, really, and I’m very honoured to have been a teeny tiny, small part of her story."

Who is Claire Foy?

Claire Foy is an actress who was born in Stockport on 16 April 1984. She has enjoyed a flourishing career in theatre, TV, and films - being nominated for and winning several awards.

For her role as Queen Elizabeth II, Claire received a list of accolades.

These awards include: a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama, two Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series, a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series and a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series.

Since appearing in The Crown, Claire has gone on to appear in the films ‘My Son’ and ‘Women Talking’ as well as the TV series ‘A Very British Scandal’ which depicted the famous 1963 Argyll v Argyll divorce case involving Ian Campbell (who was in the House of Lords at the time) and his wife Margaret.

Claire played the role of Margaret, and her performance won her "Best Actress", during the Broadcasting Press Guild Awards