If you follow up each episode of The Crown with a feverish Google session, rating the resemblance each member of the show's cast bears to each real life royal, then you're definitely not alone.
After six seasons of the show, we've learned that the truth is often stranger than fiction, and that much of the joy of Netflix's regal costume drama lies in its semi-realism: the fact that the majority of its plot points - from Princess Margaret's scandalous portrait session to Prince Philip's rumoured dalliances to the Duke of Windsor's unpalatable politics - are all rooted in history.
In our humble (and nerdish) opinion, the buzz of fact checking some of the show's more outlandish storylines and hunting down grainy black-and-white portraits of the show's real-life characters to compare against the cast is second only to that of enjoying a brand new episode.
As the show comes to an end with the sixth and final season, over the years we've seen all manner of royal faces grace our screens, so close down your multiple tabs and consider this your definitive visual cheat sheet to the major players of mid-century history and politics, from season one to season six. Kudos to The Crown’s casting directors, Nina Gold and Robert Sterne: these resemblances are striking….
The Crown real life VS TV
1 of 55Claire Foy as Queen Elizabeth S1-2
The Crown marks the second time that Claire Foy has played a Queen: she previously starred as Anne Boleyn in the BBC's adaptation of Wolf Hall.
2 of 55Queen Elizabeth II in the 1950s
In a white satin evening gown embroidered in gold and pearls, Queen Elizabeth is shown in this royal command portrait. She wears the Rib and Star of the Order of the Garter, and a diamond and emerald tiara and necklace formerly belonging to the late Queen Mary. The rest of the Monarch's jewelry consists of a diamond and emerald bracelet and wrist watch. The Queen and Prince Philip were scheduled to pay a state visit to France from April 8th to 11th.
3 of 55Olivia Colman as Queen Elizabeth II S3-4
Olivia Colman steals the show in everything she stars in, from Peep Show to Broadchurch to Fleabag, and this role brought her some well-deserved international acclaim. It takes a national treasure to play a national treasure, surely?
4 of 55Queen Elizabeth II in the 1970s
Sandringham, Norfolk, England, UK: Britain's Queen Elizabeth II smiles radiantly during a picture-taking session in the salon at Sandringham House. Her pet dog looks up at her. These photos were taken in connection with the royal Family's planned tour of Australia and New Zealand.
5 of 55Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth S5-6
With a CBE to her name, Imelda Staunton was a great addition to the cast of The Crown for series five and six.
6 of 55Queen Elizabeth in the 1990s
The Queen Waving From Her Official Car Whilst On A Visit To Derbyshire in July 1997.
7 of 55Matt Smith as Prince Phillip S1-2
From Doctor Who to The Crown, Matt Smith has starred in some major TV franchises through out his career.
8 of 55Prince Philip in the 1950s
June 1959: Queen Elizabeth II and The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh relaxing with their children, Prince Charles and Princess Anne, in the grounds of Windsor Castle, Berkshire.
9 of 55Tobias Menzies as Prince Phillip
For his role as Prince Phillip on The Crown, Tobias Menzies won a Primetime Emmy and was nominated for a Golden Globe and a BAFTA.
10 of 55Prince Philip in the 1980s
The husband of Queen Elizabeth II of England, Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, on the occasion of his 60th birthday in 1981.
11 of 55Jonathan Pryce as Prince Phillip S5-6
Sir Jonathan Pryce's illustrious career includes the 2019 film The Two Popes - for which he was nominated for an Academy Award - and as a member of the original West End cast of Miss Saigon - for which he won an Olivier Award.
12 of 55Prince Phillip in the 1990s
MAY 18 1997: Prince Philip In Panama Sunhat Strolls At A Carriage Driving Competition In The Grounds Of Windsor Castle.
13 of 55Vanessa Kirby as Princess Margaret S1-2
Prior to playing Princess Margaret, Vanessa balanced stage work with credits in film and TV productions like Great Expectations, About Time and Me Before You. She's also recently starred opposite Tom Cruise in the latest instalment of the Mission Impossible franchise.
14 of 55Princess Margaret in the 1950s
AUGUST 21: Picture dated 1956 of British Princess Margaret, Queen Elisabeth's sister, during her 26th birthday.
15 of 55Helena Bonham Carter as Princess Margaret S3-4
Helena Bonham Carter - a period drama veteran of the big and small screen - was iconic in the role of Princess Margaret.
16 of 55Lesley Manville as Princess Margaret S5-6
Lesley Manville CBE boasts multiple BAFTA, Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations.
17 of 55Princess Margaret in the 1990s
MAY 15 1997: Princess Margaret Visiting The Tri-national Tornado Establishment At Royal Air Force Cottesmore, Leicestershire.
18 of 55Victoria Hamilton as The Queen Mother S1-2
Fan of Doctor Foster? Victoria Hamilton's turn as Gemma's neighbour Anna was certainly a contrast to her royal role as the Queen Mum.
19 of 55The Queen Mother in the 1950s
Queen Mother Elizabeth wears a gown of deep oyster satin embroidered with gold, silver and crystal beads in this portrait just issued in London. The portrait was made in connection with the Queen Mother's visit to the U.S.
20 of 55Marion Bailey as The Queen Mother S3-4
For portraying Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in the third and fourth seasons of The Crown Marion Bailey won a Screen Actors Guild award winner for best ensemble in 2020 and 2021.
21 of 55Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in the 1980s
British Royal Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother (1900-2002), wearing a floral print dress and a lilac hat with an upturned brim, on the occasion of her 89th birthday, outside Clarence House, London, England, 4th August 1989.
22 of 55Marcia Warren as The Queen Mother S5-6
You may recognise two-time Oliver Award-winning actress Marcia Warren from Sherlock, Vicious or even No Place Like Home.
23 of 55Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in the 1990s
The Queen Mother attends the Grand Military Gold Cup. Held annually at Sandown Park Racecourse in Esher, Surrey it is a meeting point for the Military, in particularly for Cavalry Officers, with its origins in the days when mounted Cavalry Officers still rode to war.
24 of 55Jared Harris as King George S1
The son of actor Richard Harris (aka Dumbledore from The Philosopher's Stone), Jared Harris' screen credits include Mad Men, Sherlock Holmes and Lincoln.
25 of 55King George VI
George VI, (1895 - 1952), King of Great Britain, peruses his stamp collection, December 1944.
26 of 55Matthew Goode as Antony Armstrong Jones S2
Matthew Goode is something of a period drama mainstay, having previously appeared in the likes of Downton Abbey, Brideshead Revisited and The Imitation Game.
27 of 55Antony Armstrong-Jones
Princess Margaret Announces Engagement. Windsor, Berkshire, England: Princess Margaret and Anthony Armstrong-Jones leave Windsor lodge to stroll the grounds following the announcement of their engagement here.
28 of 55Ben Miles as Peter Townsend S1
Ben Miles has previously appeared in shows like Cold Feet, Coupling and the BBC's Shakespeare adaptation, The Hollow Crown.
29 of 55Peter Townsend
Group Captain Peter Townsend Traveling.
30 of 55Alex Jennings as The Duke of Windsor S1
Alex Jennings is another The Crown star to have previously played a different member of the royal family on screen: he starred as Prince Charles opposite Helen Mirren in The Queen.
31 of 55The Duke of Windsor in the 1950s
The Duke of Windsor aboard the S.S. Queen Elizabeth as he and his wife are sailing for a stay at their home in Paris.
32 of 55Lia Williams as Wallis Simpson S1
Alongside her TV roles, actress Lia Williams has starred in a number of plays, directed short films and runs a production company with her husband.
33 of 55Wallis Simpson
Portrait of the Wallis, Duchess of Windsor (nee Simpson, born Bessie Wallis Warfield) (1896 - 1986), mid 20th century.
34 of 55Billy Jenkins and Lyla Barrett-Rye as Princes Charles and Princess Anne S1
Billy Jenkins previously appeared in Channel 4's Humans, while Lyla Barrett-Rye played a younger version of Romola Garai's title character in a recent adaptation of Emma.
35 of 55Prince Charles and Princess Anne in the 1950s
Prince Charles And Princess Anne wait to greet their parents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, who had just returned to London Airport, from a Royal Tour of Portugal, on February 21, 1957.
36 of 55Josh O'Connor as Prince Charles S3-4
For portraying a young Charles III in The Crown - widely considered his breakout role - Josh O'Connor won a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award.
37 of 55Prince Charles in the 1980s
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales greets locals after arriving in Milan during a tour of Italy on 21st April, 1985 in Milan, Italy.
38 of 55Dominic West as Prince Charles S5-6
Best known for playing Jimmy McNulty in HBO's The Wire (2002–2008), Dominic West has been a familiar face on our TV screens for years.
39 of 55Prince Charles in the 1990s
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales attends a graduation ceremony at The Royal Agricultural College on October 07, 1995 in Cirencester England.
40 of 55Erin Doherty as Princess Anne S3-4
Erin Doherty has said in interviews that she knew little about the princess before being cast, and consequently spent hours studying Anne's family history and life. Anne's voice is very different from Erin Doherty's, being much lower in pitch so the actress spent time carefully learning and mimicking it, finding that it 'was the key into her psyche'.
41 of 55Princess Anne in the 1980s
Princess Anne at the Equestrian Trade Association trade fair at Sandown Park racecourse in Esher, Surrey on February 24, 1986.
42 of 55Claudia Harrison as Princess Anne S5-6
As well as The Crown, Claudia Harrison has starred in The IT Crowd and Archangel.
43 of 55Princess Anne in the 1990s
Princess Anne of Great Britain watches a qualifying round of the Individual Jumping event during the Equestrian competition of the 1992 Summer Olympics on August 4, 1992 at the Real Club de Polo in Barcelona, Spain.
44 of 55Greg Wise as Lord Mountbatten
You'll probably know Greg Wise for his role as the dashing but caddish Willoughby in the 1995 screen version of Sense and Sensibility (in which he starred opposite future wife Emma Thompson).
45 of 55Lord Mountbatten
1956: Lord Mountbatten (1900 - 1979) indicating NATO fleet manoeuvres in the Mediterranean.
46 of 55Emma Corrin as Princess Diana S4
As well as The Crown, Emma Corrin has starred in Netflix's adaptation of Lady Chatterley's Lover and My Policeman with Harry Styles.
47 of 55Princess Diana in the 1980s
Diana, Princess of Wales (1961 - 1997) sitting on a step at her home, Highgrove House, in Doughton, Gloucestershire, 18th July 1986.
48 of 55Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana S5-6
Elizabeth Debicki's portrayal of Princess Diana in The Crown garnered her both an Emmy Award and Golden Globe nomination.
49 of 55Princess Diana in the 1990s
Diana, Princess Of Wales, Attending A Gala Evening In Aid Of Cancer Research At Bridgewater House In London. The Princess Is Wearing A Dress Designed By Fashion Designer Jacques Azagury.
50 of 55Gillian Anderson as Margaret Thatcher S4
As well as of course The Crown and Sex Education, Gillian Anderson can be spotted in The X-Files and The Fall.
51 of 55Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s
Margaret Thatcher at the Conservative Party Conference in 1983. In 1975 she was the first woman Party leader and in 1979 the first female prime minister in British politics. She resigned in 1990.
52 of 55Emerald Fennell as Camilla Parker Bowles S4
Across her career as an actress, director and writer Emerald Fennell has won an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards, and received nominations for three Primetime Emmy Awards and three Golden Globe Awards.
53 of 55Camilla Parker Bowles in the 1980s
Lady Diana Spencer and Camilla Parker-Bowles at Ludlow Races where Prince Charles is competing, 1980.
54 of 55Olivia Williams as Camilla Parker Bowles S5-6
As well as starring as Bruce Willis' wife in The Sixth Sense, Olivia Williams has appeared in An Education and The Nevers.
55 of 55Camilla Parker Bowles in the 1990s
Camilla Parker Bowles (later Camilla, Queen Consort) on her way to a party at the Ritz, Piccadilly, London, 18th October 1995.
Daisy Hall is a News and Entertainment writer on Grazia, specialising in TV and film meaning that you can count on Daisy for the latest (and best) recommendations.