The Crown: compare the actors to the real British royals

As the final episodes of 'The Crown' hit screens for Netflix viewers, many are delighted to see the close portrayal of the royal family. The actors spent hour after hour studying every movement, vocal quality, and physical detail of the British royal family. But just how alike are the actors to the real royals?

Do you agree that they look like the real royals? Let's compare all the actors and actresses with the people they impersonate, side by side.

Image: Charles and Diana in season 4 of 'The Crown,' Netflix.

She was the young Princess and Queen Elizabeth. A semi-unknown Claire Foy gave a great performance in the first two seasons of 'The Crown.' It earned her a Golden Globe in 2017.

Claire Foy had set the bar very high, but Olivia Colman (who already had an Oscar for playing Queen Anne in 'The Favourite') raised it even higher. The casting was great and the actress's work to bring Queen Elizabeth II to life generated a mirror image of the monarch. Her Golden Globe came in 2020.

Imelda Staunton took over the role from Olivia Colman with grace. She plays the Queen at a later part of her life in seasons 5 and 6 of 'The Crown.' According to Peter Morgan, the creator of the show, her performance is "an acting master class... By being unbelievably simple, she manages to be unbelievably complex," he tells The New York Times

Lesley Manville was excited "to play siblings with my dear friend Imelda Staunton." She takes over the role of Princess Margaret in the final seasons of 'The Crown.'

The portrayal of the Queen's sister started in seasons 1 and 2 with Vanessa Kirby. She brought Princess Margaret two qualities that marked the aristocrat's life: elegance and rebelliousness. Without a doubt, hers was one of the characters with most nuances.

The great Helena Bonham Carter played Princess Margaret in seasons 3 and 4 of 'The Crown.' Funny, daring, and with a stormy relationship with photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones, her plots were some of the best in the series.

Matt Smith had two seasons to get into the shoes of Prince Philip of Edinburgh. He started out with an extraordinary physical resemblance and then made the character his own. The way he interpreted the Duke's more adventurous and party-like side, and then his step back to let the queen rule his marriage, was of the highest level.

The rogue duke and reveler played by Matt Smith gave way to a more serene and calm monarch by the hand of Tobias Menzies. A safe bet for an all-rounder who rarely fails in the role of the villain.

For the final seasons of 'The Crown,' Oscar nominee Jonathan Pryce is playing the consort of Queen Elizabeth.

'Great Gatsby' actress Elizabeth Debicki has a striking resemblance to the late princess. She took over from Emma Corrin, whose wonderful, delicate characterization of Princess Diana impressed critics.

Two charismatic women face to face. Emma Corrin brought to life perhaps the most complex character in 'The Crown.' Diana must have been an honor and a challenge for this rising star to play. She won a Golden Globe and Critics' Choice Award for it.

A role with many nuances, Prince Charles was played by Josh O'Connor in the early seasons of 'The Crown.' His performance was awarded a Golden Globe and Critic's Choice Award. From the suffering of the prince during his education to his complicated marriage to Lady Diana, O'Connor portrays him brilliantly.

Dominic West plays the unfaithful Prince Charles in the last two seasons of 'The Crown.' Several media have claimed that he is too handsome to play the King, but he definitely has his frown and mimics under control.

Another surprising choice for the cast: Jonny Lee Miller, known for 'Trainspotting,' takes on the role of Prime Minister John Major, who was the leader of the Conservative party from 1990 to 1997.

The Iron Lady may not be royalty, but she certainly belongs in this gallery. In the fourth season of 'The Crown,' Gillian Anderson plays the tough Prime Minister whose leadership and image defined the 1980s. She got a Golden Globe and Critics' Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress.

She starts her role in the series as Camilla Shand, her maiden name, but she will end up as the Duchess of Cornwall and then the Queen Consort.

Taking over the role in the final season, developing the relationship between Camilla and Charles is Olivia Williams. The actress takes us through the affair, the birthday party, the death of Diana and the marriage between Camilla and Charles.

This veteran actor took the leap to Antony Armstrong-Jones's adult life and achieved it in an exemplary way. Princess Margaret's first husband is quite a character and could easily have his own series.

People who don't know them will say that the actor and the statesman must be related. The truth is that John Lithgow, apart from doing an excellent job as an actor, looks a lot like Winston Churchill.

The details of the character played by Victoria Hamilton are tremendous. Many hours of learning and characterization went into this performance of the mother of Queen Elizabeth II.