The Crown Season 5 filming locations include Ardverikie, Lancaster House, the Royal Yacht Britannia, Chatham Historic Dockyard, Wellington College, Cobham Hall School, Winchester College, Burghley House, Brompton Cemetery, Greenwich ORNC, Lincoln’s Inn and the London Coliseum. Further scenes were filmed on the Netflix show’s extensive sets around Elstree Studios.
As the Netflix drama moves into the 1990s, it revisits some of the established locations for the royal palaces, and adds new settings. We’re also in for a change of cast, led by Imelda Staunton as the Queen, with Jonathan Pryce as Prince Philip and Lesley Manville as Princess Margaret.
Marcia Warren steps in the Queen Mother, while Timothy Dalton plays Peter Townsend for a brief reunion. Dominic West takes over as Prince Charles, with Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana and Olivia Williams as Camilla Parker Bowles.
New figures for The Crown Season 5 include Mohamed Al-Fayed (Salim Daw) and his son Dodi (Khalid Abdalla), Penny Knatchbull (Natascha McElhone) and John Major (Jonny Lee Miller). Flashbacks also give us glimpses of earlier cast members and filming locations.
Where Was The Crown Season 5 Filmed?
The Crown Series 5. Copyright Netflix
The Crown Season 5 was filmed in Chatham, Greenwich, the Moray Firth, Ardverikie, Knebworth, Wellington College, Brompton Cemetery, Somerley House, Eastbourne Pier, Winchester College, Wrotham Park, Lancaster House, Lincoln’s Inn, and more stunning locations.
However, with the show growing bigger each season, the number of sets at Elstree has also grown. The Britannia, royal residences and Downing Street are among the custom-built backdrops.
The Crown Series 5 Filming Locations
John Brown and Company Shipyard
Clock Tower Building - Chatham Dockyard by Paul Gillett, CC BY-SA 2.0
The Britannia launch scenes in The Crown Season 5 were filmed at Chatham Historic Dockyard. Episode 1 opens with a recreated newsreel footage of the Queen at Clydebanks’s John Brown Shipyard at the Britannia’s launch in 1953.
We see the ship in two eras. After Claire Foy’s Elizabeth has launched the ship, we see Imelda Staunton’s Queen at Chatham Historic Dockyard as she boards the Britannia to sail to Balmoral.
And here’s where to watch the real Britannia launch! It’s right here on the BBC Scotland News Facebook page.
Royal Yacht Britannia
The Crown Season 5 Britannia scenes were filmed on the real Royal Yacht and a replica built at Elstree Studios. The recreated top deck of the Royal Yacht’s appears in the dinner scene at the start of Episode 5. Other parts of the ship were duplicated elsewhere at the Netflix show’s Elstree base.
In an interview with Elle Décor, production designer Martin Childs confirmed the filming locations for the Britannia in Season 5 of The Crown. And it’s confirmed that the lower decks were used. We think these are the engine room scenes, which show off the machinery visible from above on the tour.
You can visit the real Royal Yacht Britannia in Leith, to the north of Edinburgh. Visitors can see the real engine rooms, Prince Philip’s art supplies, family lounges and bedrooms on the now-decommissioned Britannia. There’s also a permanent Royal Deck Tea Room, if you want to dine like the royal family in the scenes from The Crown Season 5.
Balmoral Castle
Knebworth House by Philip Jeffrey, CC BY-SA 2.0
The Crown’s Balmoral locations include Ardverikie and Knebworth House. One really is in the Highlands, while the other is just outside London.
Interior shots for the Balmoral scenes have been filmed at Knebworth throughout the Netflix show’s run. Knebworth House confirmed that it’s a filming location for The Crown Season 5, sharing the news online the day before its release.
Knebworth’s dramatic architecture makes it a popular filming location, and The Crown’s substitute for Balmoral’s Scottish Baronial style. You can visit this location easily – check for opening days and special events! https://www.knebworthhouse.com/
The exterior belongs to Ardverikie in Newtonmore - also known as Glenbogle from Monarch of the Glen. And the surrounding land appears in the show as well.
Balmoral Estate
Balmoral scenes for The Crown Season 5 were filmed around Kinloch Laggan and Lossiemouth. Kinloch Laggan is where Ardverikie is situated, and this is a real Highland location. Like the real Balmoral Estate, it’s in the Cairngorms National Park. This year, other locations add to the landscape for loch scenes.
The Loch
The Crown’s loch scenes were filmed around the Moray Firth near Lossiemouth and the Covesea Lighthouse. The Strathspey and Badenoch Herald caught Imelda Staunton and Lesley Manville in costume for the scenes.
In the Season 1 Episode 1 loch scenes, Princess Margaret and the Queen spend time together in a boat on the loch.
Range Rover Scenes
Prince Philip’s driving scenes were filmed in Hertfortshire. Back in October 2021, Jonathan Pryce was spotted filming the Range Rover driving scenes - part of Prince Philip’s life outside the palace. In Season 5, we see the Duke of Edinburgh following his love of driving and of carriage racing.
Lowther Horse Show
According to the Stamford Mercury, the Lowther Horse Show scenes were filmed at Burghley’s grounds.
As the series goes on Prince Philip and Penny Knatchbull's friendship attracts controversy – until Prince Philip asks the Queen to give her approval. While the Netflix series raises questions about the relationship, there’s no doubt that Prince Philip was devoted to carriage racing.
The Duke of Edinburgh competed in the sport, notably the Royal Windsor Horse Show, until the early 2000s. As described in the episode, he sought it out as an alternative to polo.
Kensington Palace
Wellington College. Lewis Hulbert, CC BY-SA 3.0
Look out for Wellington College as The Crown’s Kensington Palace location in Season 5 Episode 2. It first appears in the scene where Princess Diana waves goodbye to the boys then greets Andrew Morton.
Wellington College has been used as Kensington Palace in The Crown from Season 3 onwards. It appears again in Episode 4, “Annus Horribilis”, and other scenes involving Princess Diana. The Princess of Wales famously lived in one of the palace’s apartments after her split from Prince Charles.
London Streets
Lincoln’s Inn Fields appear in The Crown’s London street scenes as Princess Diana agrees to be interviewed for Andrew Morton’s book. The gateway is visible, along with the surrounding terraces.
Buckingham Palace
Lancaster House. Edwardx, CC BY-SA 4.0
Lancaster House is The Crown’s Buckingham Palace filming location seen in Season 5 Episode 2’s formal event. In the scene, Princess Diana is wearing one of her signature looks as Prince Philip considers how to mitigate the interview.
Wrotham Park has been used as the Queen’s audience room since The Crown Season 1. Over the years, The Crown has filmed Buckingham Palace scenes at Wilton House, Goldsmiths Hall and Greenwich Old Royal Naval College.
The palace’s portico scenes used to be filmed in Greenwich, but have been switched for a replica in Elstree Studios. Other palace interiors are filmed on custom sets at Elstree too.
The Ritz Paris
The Crown’s Ritz hotel filming location is Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire. The Rothschild mansion appears in Season 5 Episode 3 “Mou Mou”.
Look out for the dining room’s mantelpiece and mirrors. This room is seen in the meeting to buy the Ritz, and later when Mohamed Al-Fayed speaks with Sydney Johnson, personal valet to the Duke of Windsor.
Of course, the real Ritz Paris has taken on a different role in the story of the Royal Family, Princess Diana, and the Al-Fayeds. But in Season 5 Episode 3, we’re focusing on the Al-Fayed patriarch’s story and love of prestigious settings.
Bois du Boulogne/Villa Windsor
The Crown’s Bois du Boulogne locations are Halton House and West Wycombe Park. Halton House appeared as the former Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson’s French retreat in the Netflix show’s earlier seasons. It makes a return in Season 5 Episode 3. Look out for the exterior as the former king trains his valet.
Halton recently appeared in Enola Holmes 2 as the Lyon family home – one of many screen moments. It was built for the Rothschilds, who still own the nearby Waddesdon Manor, and as a result they share some architectural links.
West Wycombe Park is another original Bois du Boulogne filming location from The Crown Season 1 that appears in Season 5 Episode 3. Look out for it in the interior shots as Mohamed Al-Fayed and Sydney Johnson inspect Wallis Simpson’s house after her death. Halton House’s entrance and West Wycombe Park’s as the Queen’s representative removes Edward VIII’s abdication desk and letters.
As shown in the Netflix series, Sydney Johnson worked at the house in its heyday and during its renovation. The real valet to the former Edward VIII said, of the Villa Windsor’s restoration:
“I feel on top of the world… the restoration is so authentic I expect to see the duchess stepping down the staircase asking, ‘How do I look?’”
Sydney Johnson, Valet to the Duke of Windsor and Mohamed Al-Fayed
If you want to see the real Duke and Duchess of Windsor’s décor, Architectural Digest has captured it in amazing detail. Everything from the clocks to the North Persian carpets is recorded.
Harrods
Look out for Harrods in the shots of Mohamed Al-Fayed looking over his newest purchase. This looks very much like the real Harrods department store in Kensington, complete with its illuminations.
The real Harrods is a fixture of Knightsbridge to this day. But the prestigious shopping destination’s relationship with the Royal Family has changed over the years.
In 2000, Prince Philip withdrew his royal warrant. The store had held royal warrants since the 1950s. But after the Duke of Edinburgh declined to renew, Mohamed Al-Fayed spoke out to say he wouldn’t seek to renew the Queen or Prince of Wales’ warrants. Harrods then-owner elaborated:
“We are proud of the Harrods reputation as the world’s finest store and we naturally welcome discerning shoppers from all over the world… The royal family, with the exception of Prince Philip, are welcome to shop at Harrods at any time.”
Mohamed Al-Fayed
Sydney Johnson’s Grave
The Crown cemetery location for Sydney Johnson’s grave is Brompton Cemetery in London. In The Crown, we see Mohamed Al-Fayed paying his respects over the gravestone. The engraving reads Sydney Johnson, Valet to the King.
Brompton Cemetery opened in 1840, and is still a working cemetery to this day. But it’s also a Grade I-listed on the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens and a precious green space. You can find guides to the well-known figures who are buried there, and popular walking routes, on the Royal Parks website.
Moscow Streets
The Netflix show’s Moscow scenes were filmed in Bradford. In The Crown Season 5, the Queen’s car is seen driving through the streets of the Russian capital, actually Bradford’s Forster Square area.
The Telegraph and Argus caught filming in progress, with Russian signage appearing on Holdsworth Street, Canal Road and Valley Road.
Windsor Castle
Look out for Burghley Castle as The Crown’s Windsor Castle location in Season 5. The famous Windsor Castle fire scenes were filmed at Burghley, and smoke billowing over its roof. A replica of one of its rooms was also used as a fire-damaged Windsor in scenes of the Queen and Prince Philip surveying the damage.
Burghley also provides St George’s Hall in Windsor Castle after the repairs. It appears in the scenes of Prince William and the Queen having tea at Windsor during his time at Eton. Look out for it again when the Queen and Director General of the BBC have a tough conversation after Martin Bashir’s interview is screened.
You can visit this Crown location – check the opening dates for the house, grounds and restaurant.
Guildhall Jubilee Lunch
The Painted Hall, Greenwich. Bill Hunt from Brighton, UK, CC BY 2.0
The Crown’s Guildhall location in the Queen’s 40th Jubilee scene is the Painted Hall at Greenwich Old Royal Naval College. Both the interior and exterior appear during Season 5 Episode 4, “Annus Horribilis”.
Look out for the exterior of the ORNC buildings at the opening of the episode, as the Queen exits the car. She is seen walking into the Painted Hall, climbing the steps to its distinctive black and white floor.
The artwork has a royal theme of its own. Among the scenes depicted around the Painted Hall, you’ll find the accessions of William and Mary, and George I. And you can indeed find the paintings for yourself, because it’s open to the public – check the website for current admission details.
The Queen really did make her famed “annus horribilis” comment during the Guildhall Jubilee Lunch. In reality, the Ruby Jubilee banquet on 24th November 1992 took place just days after the fire at Windsor Castle.
The real Guildhall, with its 600-year-old Great Hall, is the home of the Corporation of the City of London, who hosted the event. While it didn’t appear in this episode of The Crown, it is a popular filming location in its own right.
Eton
The Eton town and school locations in The Crown are Winchester College in Hampshire and the Cobham Hall School in Kent. Prince William’s car passes the entrance to the Winchester College in Season 5 Episode 7, “No Woman’s Land”, before the press call.
Winchester was founded in 1382, pipping Eton to the post by about 60 years. Princes William and Harry’s former school was founded in 1440, on the banks of the Thames. As seen in The Crown when the Queen considers inviting William for tea, Eton sits just on the edge of Windsor.
Eton College
Kent’s Cobham Hall School appears in glimpses of Eton’s courtyard and interior shots. Look out for the Gravesend school in the press call and William’s lesson on Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot.
It was confirmed as a filming location by Visit Kent, along with other local spots appearing in the likes of Enola Holmes 2. While Eton is an all-boys school and Winchester has only recently become co-educational, Cobham Hall is an all-girls day and boarding school.
It was founded by socialite Bhicoo Batlivala, who had attended another prestigious school, Cheltenham Ladies’ College. But the building itself boasts its own royal connections. Cobham Hall has been home to the Barons of Cobham, Earls of Lennox and Earls of Darnley. Over the centuries, the residents have hosted royalty of their era, from Elizabeth I to the Duke of Windsor.
Broadcasting House
It looks like a real glimpse of Langham Place in Season 5 Episode 8, “Gunpowder”, with CGI assistance bringing the BBC’s Broadcasting House back to the 1990s. Built in 1932, the Broadcasting House building was later updated with the glass-lined piazza space that occasionally appears in BBC features.
Eastbourne Pier
The Crown Season 5 Episode 8 features shots of Eastbourne’s pier and seafront. Look out for several angles in quick succession at the start of the sequence before the Bashir footage is reviewed.
Eastbourne’s shingle beach is another location seen in the episode, as the race to halt or allow the broadcast begins.
The Queens Hotel
Queens Hotel, Eastbourne by nick macneill, CC BY-SA 2.0
It looks like the real Queens Hotel in Eastbourne appears in the episode “Bonfire”. This is where the footage of Martin Bashir’s interview with Princess Diana is reviewed, before the fateful decision is taken.
Royal Variety Performance
The Royal Variety Performance scene was filmed at the London Coliseum on St Martin’s Lane in London. The London Coliseum’s exterior is seen as the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh arrive for the Royal Variety Performance on their wedding anniversary. The real auditorium appears as well, with shots from various angles throughout the second half of the episode.
As a side note, while the London Coliseum has hosted the event, it wasn’t the venue that year. On 19th November 1995, the day before Princess Diana’s interview with Martin Bashir aired, the Royal Variety Performance was held at the London Dominion.
The Queen and Prince Philip would have watched acts including Cirque du Soleil, Allan Stewart, Des O’Connor, Riverdance and Elaine Paige. Thanks to the Royal Variety Charity’s archive, you can check out the line-up right here.
Hong Kong
Prince Charles’ Hong Kong scenes were filmed in London’s West End. The area already has a strong connection to China and Hong Kong, through local expat communities and Chinatown’s restaurants and importers.
Journals and essays written by King Charles III were shared with the press after he took the final trip in the Royal Yacht Britannia. In the texts, he wrote about his thoughts on the journey itself and the Hong Kong handover.
The Theatre
Lyceum Theatre, London. Paul the Archivist, CC BY-SA 4.0
The Swan Lake scene in The Crown Season 5 Episode 10, “Decommissioned”, was filmed at the Lyceum Theatre in London. In the scene, Mohamed Al-Fayed and Princess Diana meet again at Swan Lake. Though in reality, Princess Diana watched Swan Lake at the Royal Albert Hall.
While the Princess of Wales’ fashion choices influenced the costumes shown in The Crown, they don’t appear at the same events. As Yahoo Life UK point out, the blue dress Diana is seen wearing to Swan Lake harks back to a Jaques Azagury dress she wore to an event at the Serpentine Gallery in 1995.
Highgrove
The Crown’s Highgrove location is the Somerley Estate in Dorset. Somerley appeared in Season 4 as Highgrove, and is also set to reappear in Season 6. Filming took place in October 2022, before Season 5 had arrived on Netflix.
While Somerley isn’t open to the public, you can stay at this Crown location. There are holiday lets on the estate – or you can host a wedding or special event at the house. https://somerley.com/ That said, you can visit the real Highgrove gardens. In fact, King Charles III’s private residence in Gloucestershire has hosted garden tours for 25 years.