Kristen looks the part as a tormented Diana – and Sandringham is played by a German hotel
WITH the flawless coiffure and solitary air, this could be a photograph of Princess Diana at the height of both her fame and inner torment.
But instead it is American actress Kristen Stewart filming a scene for the forthcoming movie Spencer, which is described as a ‘fictional imagining’ of Christmas 1991 when Diana joined the Royal Family at Sandringham as her marriage to Prince Charles crumbled.
Twilight star Miss Stewart, 30, who researched the role by reading every book
‘I listen to her voice every night …I don’t want to screw it up’
about the late Princess that she could find, said: ‘It’s the most exciting role of my life so far. I listen to her voice every night before bed. I want to please her. I don’t want to screw it up.’
Director Pablo Larrain said he believes Miss Stewart will bring a convincing angle to the role, explaining: ‘She can appear very mysterious and very fragile, but ultimately also very strong.’
The five- star Schlosshotel Kronberg near Frankfurt in Germany, was chosen for the location by Larrain as it reminded him of a British palace. It was originally built in the late 1800s for Germany’s Empress Victoria – eldest daughter of Queen Victoria – and the Empress lived there following the death of her husband.
She was just 17 when she married Prince Frederick of Prussia, with whom she had eight children. Her eldest son, and Queen Victoria’s eldest grandson, went on to become Kaiser Wilhelm II.
The hotel still has royal connections as it is run by the Queen’ s distant cousin Prince Heinrich
Donatus von Hessen. It costs £2,000 a night to stay in the Royal Suite.
Parts of the original furnishings as well as pieces of art from the collection of the empress are still present in the hotel, along with her extensive library. Filming started at the venue last week and it has been completely taken over by the film crew, with several cranes and historic cars on site.
Diana has previously been played by actresses such as Naomi Watts, Serena Scott Thomas and most recently Emma Corrin i n The Crown. Other Royals will be seen in the shadows in the film. Mr Turner actor Timothy Spall is understood to play a servant.
Spencer is due for release in cinemas this autumn.