The Crown will recreate the moment Kate Middleton defeated Prince William at a student fashion show as she donned a daring see-through dress as she strutted down the catwalk.
In the final season of the hit Netflix drama, Ed McVey, 22, and Meg Bellamy, 20, will play the Prince and Princess of Wales in the early days of their relationship while studying at St Andrews.
The couple recreated the memorable evening when 20-year-old Kate confidently strutted in front of her scantily clad peers on the night of March 27, 2002. Reportedly, Prince William, who paid £200 for a table just inches from the catwalk, sat gaping at his wife-to-be.
The lace slip that Kate wore that night cost just £30 to make but is credited with boosting her relationship with William. The dress later sold for a whopping £78,000.
Netflix producers last night shared images of Meg re-enacting the night at the Edinburgh TV Festival as they discussed how the upcoming series – which will cover the years 1997 to 2005 – will take a look at the heiress’ early relationship with Kate .
Throughout the Netflix series, the actors will recreate the memorable moment when Kate attended a charity fashion show in March 2002 in a daring see-through dress
In the final season of hit Netflix drama The Crown, 22-year-old Ed McVey will play Prince William, while Meg Bellamy, 20, will play Kate Middleton. Pictured: The actors film at St Andrews University in Scotland
The lace slip that Kate wore that night cost just £30 to make but is credited with boosting her relationship with William
The filmmakers also shed light on the stark contrast between Meg’s role and her previous job working at Legoland in Windsor, the Sun reported.
They told the audience: “Meg was at Legoland in Windsor and I think she worked in a costume – as a chicken – but she’s a long way from that now.”
Throughout the evening, Netflix bosses also showed clips of William and Kate staring longingly at each other in a university library.
Behind-the-scenes clips shared on TikTok by real students from the university previously showed Meg in a navy blue jacket, khaki skirt and brown knee-high boots, while her sweetheart is dressed dapper in a plaid sweater and jeans.
The scene begins with Kate staring at her lovers before they enter one of the university buildings.
As they leave campus, the actress who plays Kate smiles at William as he walks past them.
After passing through an ancient gate, William turns and looks at Kate – causing her live audience to gasp from where they were watching.
Another recreation saw Prince Harry, played by Luther Ford, almost shooting someone with a gun.
The Crown actors Elizabeth Debicki and Khalid Abdalla photographed the filming of Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed’s tragic last day
A scene from the upcoming season of Netflix series The Crown was filmed in October last year
Show creator Peter Morgan said this week of promoting the new series: “Once you see William and Harry on screen, it’s just electrifying.”
During the evening, producers also confirmed that Princess Diana’s fatal car accident, played by Elizabeth Debicki, will feature in the upcoming series, despite significant backlash.
Netflix was recently criticized for “disgusting” filming of scenes recreating Diana’s death in a Paris tunnel in 1997.
The streaming service insisted Diana’s death in the Pont de l’Alma tunnel would not be re-enacted, but an insider revealed these would be her final days and hours.
Royal biographer William Shawcross called the series “disgusting” and “deliberately hurtful”.
Regarding the sensitivity surrounding the portrayal of the Princess’ death, Edinburgh TV Festival producers stressed that “tremendous sensitivity” was being dealt with, the newspaper reported.
Executive Producer Suzanne Mackie said, “There was no question that first, we’re going to be meticulously researching, reading, and listening, and of course, second and foremost, being sensitive.”
“There was very, very careful, long, long talk about how we’re going to do it, and in the end it’s going to be for the audience to judge.” But I think it’s been carefully and carefully recreated.”
Ms Mackie added that Debicki “was so thoughtful and considerate and loved Diana so there was a lot of respect” when the scenes were re-enacted.
The latest and final season of The Crown is slated for a fall
The series’ three young stars, who play Kate, William and Harry, have been spotted attending high-profile events in recent weeks, but Elizabeth Debicki, who plays Diana, has not been spotted
Now, ahead of the fall release, the streaming giant has launched a glitzy ad campaign to deflect criticism of Princess Diana’s death.
Earlier this month, the three young actors who play Kate, Harry and William were pictured together at the Goodwood Festival of Speed as endorsers for luxury jewelry brand Cartier. They all also attended the Netflix party with British Vogue in May. Ed and Luther also went to Paris Fashion Week together.
However, Elizabeth Debicki, who plays Diana in the upcoming series, was nowhere to be seen.
A source said: “The scenes surrounding Diana’s death will be horrific and will spark a great deal of controversy around the world. So you can see what Netflix is doing here and trying to overcompensate by showing viewers the glory days of Kate, William and Harry, and not just on screen, but also off.
“They’re often flaunted, especially considering they haven’t even been on TV.”