The reign of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022) is the focus of the fictional drama series THE CROWN. In 60 episodes spread over six seasons, it follows her life from her marriage in 1947 to her 80th birthday in 2006. Each season spans about 10 years. The first season was released by Netflix on 4 November 2016.
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| The Crown, season 1, episode 5, 0:49:05 |
More than seven years later, on 14 December 2023, the final five episodes came online. The Queen is played by Claire Foy in the first two seasons, followed by Olivia Colman in the third and fourth seasons and Imelda Staunton in the final two seasons. Filming took place in numerous locations across the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe, including Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, London.
Construction of this complex, which was designed by court architect Christopher Wren and would serve as a military hospital, began in 1696. He had to ensure that the view of the River Thames from the nearby Queen's House was not obstructed. Four buildings, or 'Courts', were therefore created, each with a courtyard, arranged around a square with a wide passageway running from the Water Gate in the north to the Queen's Gate in the south, and a narrower road, College Way, running from east to west.
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| Old Royal Naval College, London, 3 May 2025 |
After closing in 1869, Greenwich Hospital was taken over in 1873 by the Royal Naval College, which was based here until 1998. Since the departure of the military naval college, the name Old Royal Naval College has been used. Three buildings are now part of the University of Greenwich, and the fourth building is used by Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.
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| Map Old Royal Naval College |
The Old Royal Naval College is also frequently used as a filming location for
films and
television series. Its website lists more than 150 titles, including
The Crown. As far as I have been able to discover, the College has featured in four of the six seasons.
Season 1 (1947-1955)
A side entrance to Buckingham Palace featured several times in the first season, including in episode 9, “Assassins”. Winston Churchill (John Lithgow) has stepped down as prime minister of the United Kingdom and is leaving the palace. Before his car drives away, he has a meeting with his successor, Anthony Eden (Jeremy Northam).
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| The Crown, season 1, episode 9, 0:53:07 |
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| Queen Anne Court, Old Royal Naval College, London, 3 May 2025 |
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| The Crown, season 1, episode 9, 0:54:00 |
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Queen Anne Court, Old Royal Naval College, London, 3 May 2025
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| The Crown, season 1, episode 10, 0:24:13 |
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Queen Anne Court, Old Royal Naval College, London, 3 May 2025
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For these scenes, a colonnade with a balcony was constructed at the entrance to Queen Anne Court, as can be seen in the picture below. The palace's upper floors and side wings were added digitally.
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| Set photo The Crown |
Season 3 (1964-1977)
In episode 5, “Coup”, Lord Mountbatten (Charles Dance) inspects the troops at Dartmouth Naval College in 1967. This is the courtyard of Queen Mary Court.
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| The Crown, season 3, episode 5, 0:01:56 |
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| Queen Mary Court, Old Royal Naval College, London, 3 May 2025 |
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| The Crown, season 3, episode 5, 0:02:01 |
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| Queen Mary Court, Old Royal Naval College, London, 3 May 2025 |
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| The Crown, season 3, episode 5, 0:02:51 |
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| Queen Mary Court, Old Royal Naval College, London, 3 May 2025 |
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| The Crown, season 3, episode 5, 0:03:00 |
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| Queen Mary Court, Old Royal Naval College, London, 3 May 2025 |
Queen Elizabeth (Olivia Colman) and Prince Philip (Tobias Menzies) celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary on 20 November 1972, including a luncheon at Guildhall in London, where she delivers a speech. This event is featured in episode 9, “Imbroglio”, and was filmed in the Painted Hall at King William Court. The paintings were created by Sir James Thornhill between 1707 and 1726. They depict hundreds of historical and mythological figures paying tribute to England's status as a naval power. The painting behind the Queen also depicts the dome of St Paul's Cathedral. Thornhill has portrayed himself, looking over his left shoulder at the bottom right.
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| The Crown, season 3, episode 9, 0:42:39 |
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| Painted Hall, Old Royal Naval College, London, 3 May 2025 |
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| The Crown, season 3, episode 9, 0:43:22 |
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| Painted Hall, Old Royal Naval College, London, 3 May 2025 |
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| The Crown, season 3, episode 9, 0:43:40 |
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| Painted Hall, Old Royal Naval College, London, 3 May 2025 |
At the same time, Camilla Shand (Emerald Fennell) marries Andrew Parker-Bowles (Andrew Buchan) at Guards' Chapel in London, after breaking off her relationship with Prince Charles (Josh O'Connor). In reality, the wedding took place months later, on 4 July 1973. This scene was shot in the Chapel of St Peter & St Paul, housed by Queen Mary Court.
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| The Crown, season 3, episode 9, 0:43:14 |
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| Chapel of St Peter & St Paul, Old Royal Naval College, London, 3 May 2025 |
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| The Crown, season 3, episode 9, 0:43:20 |
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| Chapel of St Peter & St Paul, Old Royal Naval College, London, 3 May 2025 |
Season 4 (1979-1990)
On 9 July 1982, Michael Fagan (played by Tom Brooke) breaks into Buckingham Palace. He makes it as far as the Queen's bedroom, where he speaks to her. This event is depicted in episode 5, “Fagan”. During our visit to the Old Royal Naval College, we took the
Wigs, Weddings, Powder and Palaces film tour. Our guide mentioned that the drainpipe at King Charles Court matches the one at Buckingham Palace.
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| The Crown, season 4, episode 5, 0:19:34 |
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| King Charles Court, Old Royal Naval College, London, 3 May 2025 |
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| The Crown, season 4, episode 5, 0:19:34 |
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King Charles Court, Old Royal Naval College, London, 3 May 2025
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Season 5 (1991-1997)
Episode 4, “Annus Horribilis” (Latin for 'terrible year'), takes its name from Queen Elizabeth's (Imelda Staunton) speech at Guildhall on 24 November 1992, delivered to mark the 40th anniversary of her accession to the throne. In her speech, she referred to her children's marital problems and the fire at Windsor Castle. This scene was also filmed at the Painted Hall.
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| The Crown, season 5, episode 4, 0:00:57 |
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| Painted Hall, Old Royal Naval College, London, 3 May 2025 |
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| The Crown, season 5, episode 4, 0:01:00 |
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| Painted Hall, Old Royal Naval College, London, 3 May 2025 |
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| The Crown, season 5, episode 4, 0:47:05 |
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| Painted Hall, Old Royal Naval College, London, 3 May 2025 |
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| The Crown, season 5, episode 4, 0:48:39 |
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| Painted Hall, Old Royal Naval College, London, 3 May 2025 |
Entry to the grounds and chapel is free. Tickets are only required for the Painted Hall and guided tours. Visit the
Old Royal Naval College's website for more information.
Screenshots © Netflix
Plattegrond © Old Royal Naval College
Setfoto © Robert Viglasky/Netflix
