By Kenzi Devine For Mailonline
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Claire Foy has paid a heartfelt tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, following her death last week at age 96 in Balmoral, Scotland.
The actress, 38, who portrayed a young version of Her Majesty in the first two seasons of Netflix drama The Crown, described the opportunity to act out her life as ‘an honour’.
Giving a gushing tribute during the Toronto Film Festival this week, the star also noted how she thinks of the Queen as ‘a mother and grandmother’.
‘Heartfelt: Claire Foy has paid a heartfelt tribute to Queen Elizabeth II as she detailed the ‘honour’ to have portrayed her in The Crown (Claire pictured on the show in 2016)
Describing the Queen as ‘incredible’, Claire told the BBC: ‘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,’ continued the actress.
The Crown follows the reign of Her Majesty over a number of decades, beginning from the late 1940s – with a fictional twist.
And Claire portrayed the Queen during her early years as monarch in the first two seasons of the show, chronicling her life from her wedding in 1947 to Philip, Duke of Edinburgh until 1964.
Tragedy: Her Majesty passed away ‘peacefully’ at the age of 96 last week in Balmoral, Edinburgh (Queen Elizabeth pictured in 2019)
On-screen: Claire portrayed the Queen during her early years as monarch in the first two seasons of The Crown, chronicling her life from her wedding in 1947 to Philip, Duke of Edinburgh until 1964 (pictured during season 2 of the show)
The actress then left the show as the role was taken over by Oliva Colman – to display a more accurate version of the Queen as the timeline jumped to the 1970s.
And her portrayal was not overlooked, as she won best actress awards at both the Emmys and Golden Globes for playing the role.
But as The Crown continues to film further into Her Majesty’s reign, Claire could have made a reappearance on many screens over the last week – as the show shot back up to Netflix’s ‘most watched’ list this week.
Viewers appeared keen to relive the long rein of the Queen following her death, with the Netflix show heading to number three in the Top Ten UK list just days after the tragedy.
Popular: Viewers appeared keen to relive the long rein of the Queen following her death, with the Netflix show heading to number three in the Top Ten UK list just days after the tragedy (Left) Claire on-screen (right) The Queen in 1966
The Crown is currently filming for their sixth season, and has now resumed their production after halting it for one day due to the Queen’s death.
Next: Series five of the drama is set to air this autumn with scenes involving the late Princess of Wales (pictured in 1995)
Filming was suspended for just one day as a ‘mark of respect to the late monarch’, after scenes covering Princess Diana‘s tragic death in Paris in August 1997 were scheduled to be filmed on Friday.
And now, the potentially controversial scenes will be filmed while the nation comes to grips with the loss of their late Queen during a 10 day mourning period which will end with a state funeral.
The decision not to film comes as the Netflix show also announced that it will suspend filming on the day of Her Majesty’s funeral – which will take place on Monday 19 September.
A Netflix spokesperson 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.’
Netflix reportedly devised a plan, named Operation London Bridge – the same name as the official funeral plan for the Queen – to outline what the production company would do in the event of her passing.
Statement: King Charles III released a poignant statement reacting to the death of his ‘beloved mother’ as he took the throne on Thursday
One of the show’s creators Stephen Daldry said when the show first premiered in 2016 the cast would likely stop production, he said: ‘It would be a simple tribute and a mark of respect. She’s a global figure and it’s what we should do.’
After The Queen’s death was announced, Peter Morgan, writer of the drama, said: ‘The Crown is a love letter to her and I’ve nothing to add for now, just silence and respect. I expect we will stop filming out of respect too.’
The UK is currently in a ten-day period of mourning, with the monarch’s funeral set to be held on Monday September 19.
Her Majesty’s coffin was transported from Balmoral to St. Giles cathedral earlier this week, and now sits in Westminster Hall – where members of the public can visit to pay their respects.
The first members of the public pay their respects as the vigil begins around the coffin at Westminster Hall yesterday
Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd
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