THE CROWN FILMS IN WALES
THIS was the moment yesterday when Netflix series The Crown recreated the scene where Prince Charles became Prince of Wales at his investiture in Caernarfon Castle on July 1, 1969.
Caernarfon was transported back almost 50 years at the weekend to one of the most famous moments in the history of the Royal family with Olivia Colman, who plays the Queen, and Josh O’Connor, who takes on the role of Prince Charles, filming the investiture scenes at the town’s castle.
Crews also filmed the processional scenes through the town as “Prince Charles” was taken by horsedrawn carriage through the streets of the Gwynedd town.
Actors playing royal supporters lined the route as the then-20-yearold “royal” made his way to the ceremony, which in 1969 was broadcast to more than 500 million on TV.
The town has been transformed since Friday when filming began with scores of people dressed in military uniform, ceremonial gowns and fashions from the decade thronging the streets, which were decked out in bunting and flags.
Roads were closed around the town and police officers were in attendance as filming began inside the grounds of Caernarfon Castle.
Show producers Left Bank Pictures advised that North Wales Police would “be in attendance for public reassurance”.
Filming was taking place in a number of locations around the town, including Y Maes, Castle Hill, Slate Quay as well as the castle itself.
The Crown is a historical drama based on the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. The first two seasons starred Claire Foy as the monarch while former Dr Who actor Matt Smith played her husband Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh.
A number of characters have been re-cast for the third and fourth seasons with award-winning Peep Show, Broadchurch and The Night Manager actor Colman playing an older Elizabeth II while Tobias Menzies, formerly of Game of Thrones, plays an aging Prince Philip.
Hollywood actress Helena Bonham Carter, who won a Bafta for her role as Queen Elizabeth in The King’s Speech (2010) has been cast as the Queen’s sister Princess Margaret.
O’Connor has also played Lawrence Durrell in the ITV series The Durrells.
The Crown’s filming has recently been taking place in various locations across south Wales, including scenes that show the Queen’s visit to Aberfan following the disaster in October 1966. Some filming will also take place in Aberystwyth during the month.
However, the shooting of the television drama series in Caernarfon has angered some pro-independence campaigners.
One veteran independence campaigner wrote in an online blog urging Welsh nationalists to protest at the filming of the hit Netflix series.
Gethin ap Gruffydd, a former member of the Free Wales Army, which organised protests against the 1969 investiture, said: “It will be interesting to see how many will make a rush to sell out their homeland and participate in another insult to our historic memory again, but more interesting will be how many Caernarfon/Gwynedd patriots will rush to picket protest this filming or just duck and dive out of the way.”
Mr ap Gruffydd added: “It is however, worthwhile pointing out the fact that The Crown is a worldwide Netflix affair so without doubt any protest, not least major demonstration will hit big time Cymru/Wales, British Isles and world news and command big attention to our cause of Welsh independence.”