Prince William has extended an olive branch to Netflix, despite “furious backlash” from the public over the streaming platform’s final season of The Crown.
Staunton was supported by her husband Jim Carter and daughter Bessie as she was made a Dame Commander of the British Empire at an Investiture ceremony by the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle today.
The actress, 68, who portrayed the late Queen Elizabeth II in Netflix’s hit drama The Crown, received her title for her services to drama and charity.
Netflix’s The Crown sparked a furious backlash from royal fans after Princess Diana’s ghost was included in the final series of the programme, which was labelled “sickening”.
Elizabeth Debicki, who portrayed Diana, appeared after her death to have an emotional reconciliation with then-Prince Charles, as played by Dominic West.
She also paid a visit to Queen Elizabeth II, as played by Staunton, to discuss her funeral arrangements.
Diana’s ghost appearing in the series sparked fury among royal fans.
“How sickening! Of course, I knew from the last two years that @TheCrownNetflix’s producers had no morals or taste at all,” one fan wrote on social media.
Following the furious backlash, a Netflix source defended their decision by claiming the ghost depiction was a “visualisation of innermost thoughts”.
Although Buckingham Palace never made an official statement regarding The Crown, a senior royal source told The Telegraph that the programme is “a drama, not a documentary” before season five aired in 2022.
Staunton earned a Bafta TV and Golden Globe nomination for her fictional portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in seasons five and six of the series.
She joined a number of stars, including Simon Le Bon and X Factor contestant Rebecca Ferguson in receiving a royal honour from Prince William at Windsor Castle today.
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As well as her role in The Crown, Staunton is widely known for playing Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter films, with her other film credits including Downton Abbey, Paddington and Nanny McPhee.
Upon receiving her damehood in the King’s Birthday Honours in June, Dame Imelda said: “I feel genuinely humbled to be recognised on the same level as the amazing actresses, all the great Dames, who have led the way for so many of us.
“It is their talent, dedication, wit and energy that have paved the way for us all and have set the standards to which we all aspire.”
She added she was “proud” to play her part in the industry as “theatre, film and television are essential to our wellbeing, stand at the heart of our culture and are admired throughout the world”.