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Filming for the sixth and final series of The Crown is well underway, as the Netflix hits prepares its sixth and final series. 

Crew members from the Netflix hit were seen setting up Winchester Cathedral on Saturday as they prepared to film scene’s for Princess Diana‘s funeral. 

Fans are eagerly awaiting its release later this year, but the show is already courting controversy with its plans to depict the tragic death of Diana

Crew members from The Crown were seen setting up Winchester Cathedral on Saturday as they prepared to film scene's for Princess Diana's funeral

Crew members from The Crown were seen setting up Winchester Cathedral on Saturday as they prepared to film scene’s for Princess Diana’s funeral

The stunning Gothic church was seen with cordons in place and location trucks on site at the weekend. 

Boxes of red and white roses were seen scattered across the floor, with lighting and scaffolding in place. 

Winchester Cathedral is being as a substitute for Westminster Abbey, where the late Princesses funeral took place on 6 September 1997.  

On screen: Fans are eagerly awaiting its release later this year, but the show is already courting controversy with its plans to depict the tragic death of Diana (Dominic West as Prince Charles and Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana in series five)

On screen: Fans are eagerly awaiting its release later this year, but the show is already courting controversy with its plans to depict the tragic death of Diana (Dominic West as Prince Charles and Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana in series five)

Boxes of red and white roses were seen scattered across the floor

Boxes of red and white roses were seen scattered across the floor

Venue: Winchester Cathedral is being as a substitute for Westminster Abbey, where the late Princesses funeral took place on 6 September 1997

Venue: Winchester Cathedral is being as a substitute for Westminster Abbey, where the late Princesses funeral took place on 6 September 1997

It will be closed to visitors later this month, on January 24 and 25, according to the Cathedral’s website, which is when filming is believed to be taking place.

The cast and crew filmed the funeral procession in October, the Royal Standard is draped over the coffin on the gun carriage – just as it was in real life – while actors dressed in the ceremonial uniform of the Welsh Guards march alongside.

The scene depicting a grief-stricken William and Prince Harry – then aged 15 and 12 – was filmed in secrecy at a disused RAF base.

Breathtaking: Pictures from inside the Cathedral show it's incredible interior

Breathtaking: Pictures from inside the Cathedral show it’s incredible interior

Decorative: An elaborate gold alter was seen in the church

Decorative: An elaborate gold alter was seen in the church

Flowers: Props were pictured scattered around the church

Flowers: Props were pictured scattered around the church 

Amid filming, those close to the Royal Family lambasted the Netflix series as ‘crude, cruel and totally insensitive, particularly in light of the Queen’s death’. 

The scenes will form part of The Crown’s final series, which is expected to be released later in 2023. 

Imelda Staunton will reprise her role as Queen Elizabeth II, with Jonathan Pryce playing her husband Prince Philip.

Elizabeth Debicki will once again appear as Princess Diana in the build-up to her death, while Dominic West plays Prince Charles. 

Preparing: Stage lighting was seen going up inside

Preparing: Stage lighting was seen going up inside

Getting ready: Location trucks were seen on site whilst scaffolding went up outside

Getting ready: Location trucks were seen on site whilst scaffolding went up outside 

Visitors: Certain sections are still open to the public whilst the begins slowly

Visitors: Certain sections are still open to the public whilst the begins slowly 

On Friday fans of the show saw London’s Canary Wharf transformed into 1990s Chicago, to recreate a journey undertaken by the US President.

Given the time period that The Crown is expected to cover during its final series, the scene will likely cover the Presidency of Bill Clinton, who was elected in 1993. 

Princess Diana previously visited Chicago in 1996, 14 months before her death, though The Crown’s sixth series is expected to pick up in the following year. 

Staff: Crew members were seen outside wearing padded jackets with dogs

Staff: Crew members were seen outside wearing padded jackets with dogs 

Coming soon: The set up for the series appeared to be extensive

Coming soon: The set up for the series appeared to be extensive 

Protection: A dog was seen on site guarding the area

Protection: A dog was seen on site guarding the area 

Series five of The Crown has been subject to plenty of criticism due to the touchy topic of King Charles and his marriage to Diana, following its release on Netflix in November.

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Many argued that filming scenes leading up to Princess Diana’s death in Paris were insensitive – as well as the series going ahead with its launch not long after the Queen’s death in September last year.

Focusing heavily on the fallout between Princess Diana, played by Debicki and King Charles (then Prince of Wales) as portrayed by West, the new series showcased a number of low points for the royals.

This year: The scenes will form part of The Crown's final series , which is expected to be released later in 2023

This year: The scenes will form part of The Crown’s final series , which is expected to be released later in 2023

Controversy: Amid filming, those close to the Royal Family lambasted the Netflix series as 'crude, cruel and totally insensitive , particularly in light of the Queen's death'

Controversy: Amid filming, those close to the Royal Family lambasted the Netflix series as ‘crude, cruel and totally insensitive , particularly in light of the Queen’s death’

Among them are Charles and Diana’s marriage breakdown, the late royal’s controversial Panorama interview and the notorious ‘tampongate’ phone call between the King and Queen Consort.

One of the most controversial aspects of the series is how it will tackle the death of Diana, with Netflix facing scrutiny over the decision to recreate the final days of Princess Diana, shooting some scenes in Paris, where she died.

It followed accusations of callousness amid reports the show will recreate the Paris car chase that resulted in Diana’s death and scenes of young princes William and Harry following their mother’s coffin. The exact moment of the crash will not be shown.

Follow up: Series five of The Crown has been subject to plenty of criticism due to the touchy topic of King Charles and his marriage to Diana, following its release on Netflix in November

Follow up: Series five of The Crown has been subject to plenty of criticism due to the touchy topic of King Charles and his marriage to Diana, following its release on Netflix in November

Acting royalty Dame Judi Dench, who is close to King Charles and Camilla, has accused the programme of being ‘crude and hurtful’.

Dame Judi, 87, who has played Elizabeth I and Queen Victoria, told The Times the series risked damaging the monarchy. The Oscar-winning actress blamed it for ‘crude sensationalism’ and blurring fact and fiction.

Former Prime Minister Sir John Major criticised a scene which shows him having a conversation with then Prince Charles about the possibility of the Queen abdicating as ‘malicious nonsense’.

Last one: The final series will cover the Royal Family's history from 1997 to 2003

Last one: The final series will cover the Royal Family’s history from 1997 to 2003

Tough: It followed accusations of callousness amid reports the show will recreate the Paris car chase that resulted in Diana's death (L-R Elizabeth Debicki, Will Powell, Senan West and Dominic West)

Tough: It followed accusations of callousness amid reports the show will recreate the Paris car chase that resulted in Diana’s death (L-R Elizabeth Debicki, Will Powell, Senan West and Dominic West)

Recently, The Crown star Gillian Anderson, who played Margaret Thatcher in series four, hit back at the comments – and argues that the series could have been far more damaging.

Speaking to The Daily Mail’s Richard Eden, Gillian said: ‘There’s a lot of researchers involved, and a lot of people checking and double-checking and triple-checking. 

‘There’s a lot that has not been written about that could be written about. And if you knew the difference in those, you’d see there is a great deal of kindness and restraint.’

She adds: ‘At the end of the day, there are incredibly compassionate and well-rounded takes on human beings. 

‘And what you’re left with is properly, maturely drawn, complex characters. And there’s a lot that’s in there that one has to say, ‘If you didn’t do it, we wouldn’t be writing about it’.’

Scenes: Acting royalty Dame Judi Dench, who is close to King Charles and Camilla, has accused the programme of being 'crude and hurtful' (Elizabeth Debicki as Diana in season five)

Scenes: Acting royalty Dame Judi Dench, who is close to King Charles and Camilla, has accused the programme of being ‘crude and hurtful’ (Elizabeth Debicki as Diana in season five)

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