WHY THIS WELSH TOWN HAS GONE BACK TO THE 1960s
AWELSH town is being transported back almost 50 years this weekend to one of the most famous moments in the history of the Royal Family.
And it’s all thanks to hugely popular Netflix period drama The Crown, which has seen Caernarfon take a step back in time to the late 1960s.
To recreate the moment Prince Charles became Prince of Wales at his investiture in Caernarfon Castle in 1969, the town has seen the arrival of a number of actors and production crews.
You could have been forgiven for thinking you’d taken a trip in Doctor Who’s Tardis as scores of people dressed in military uniform, ceremonial gowns and fashions from the decade thronged 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. Sunday will see the main event with the recreation of the investiture and a procession scene in and around the town.
Show producers Left Bank Pictures have advised that “North Wales Police will 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 plays her husband Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.
A number of characters have been recast for the third and fourth seasons with Peep Show and Hot Fuzz actor Olivia Colman playing an older Elizabeth II while Tobias Menzies playing an ageing Prince Philip.
Hollywood actress Helena Bonham Carter has been cast as the Queen’s sister Princess Margaret.
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 filming 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, one of the groups 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.”