The Crown’s Erin Doherty describes the Royal Family as ‘jarring’

The Crown star Erin Doherty has described the premise of the Royal Family as ‘jarring’ – and admitted the constraints put on her character Princess Anne left her feeling ‘angry’.

The Sussex-born actress, 27, made her debut in season three of the Netflix drama, playing the Queen’s daughter as a young woman.

Erin added that she has an ‘immense amount of sympathy’ for Princess Anne, describing her as a teenage girl ‘trying to figure it out’.

Speaking to The Sunday Times Culture magazine, she said: ‘She went through that experience of being in the public eye, and everyone ripping her to shreds. People tore her apart!’

Erin added that the whole premise of the Royal Family is ‘jarring’  because they’re not allowed to complain because, on the surface, they have everything – yet they’re still human beings with feelings.

‘I don’t know how they do it,’ she admitted.

Referencing the constraints put on her character, she explained: ‘You feel the cement forming around you, and it makes you angry. But it’s so much fun to play.’

Throughout the three series of The Crown, there are few instances where the royal children receive a hug from their parents – with a young Prince Charles showed more affection from his uncle, ‘Dickie’ Mountbatten.

Erin, pictured as Princess Anne, added that the whole premise of the Royal Family is ‘jarring’ because they’re not allowed to complain because, on the surface, they have everything – yet they’re still human beings with feelings

‘I think that does mess with your psychology,’ Erin explained, adding that it becomes a cyclical thing, with the young princes and princesses learning from their parents and closing themselves off in return.

The Call the Midwife actress previously revealed it takes an hour-and-a-half to recreate the royal’s trademark hair do. 

She also acknowledged that her natural accent is the opposite of the princess’ ‘crazy posh voice’, and she regularly practices recreating it when ordering coffees and chatting to strangers.

The Call the Midwife actress, pictured as Princess Anne, previously revealed it takes an hour-and-a-half to recreate the royal’s trademark hair do

Referencing the constraints put on her character, Erin explained: ‘You feel the cement forming around you, and it makes you angry. But it’s so much fun to play’

‘The whole family’s accent is so weird,’ she told Stella magazine. ‘It’s alien to me, I’ve never heard anyone talk like that.’ 

Erin certainly enjoyed Princess Anne’s sense of style as a young woman, with daringly short skirts which reportedly did not go down well with her mother the Queen. 

‘Clothes for events were constricting, with tight dresses and no off-the-shoulders outfits. It was a case of, “God, I can’t move,”‘ Erin previously told the Daily Mail.

‘But when Anne was a teenager and in her early 20s she was right on point. I was amazed by these incredible photos of Anne on the streets of London, rocking a miniskirt and leather boots. I felt more like her when I was wearing those clothes, when she’s rebelling.

‘It was a really important part of the story to show her as a teenager, going partying and having fun. It’s great to see these characters in these very normal situations.’

Erin also relished delving into Anne’s love life, which saw her at the centre of a love quartet with Andrew Parker Bowles, Camilla Shand and her brother Prince Charles. 

‘She’s pretty much surrounded by the family most of the time, but when she gets in a room with a man it’s a very different Anne,’ she said. 

‘I can’t wait for people to see it. She’s flirty and she’s up for it. But she’s still no-nonsense. She’s like, “Well, we’re not going to beat around the bush here.” She’s brilliant.’