Staunton will take over the role from Olivia Colman, with the fifth series expected to cover the monarch’s reign in the 1990s and early 2000s, including the divorce of Prince Charles from Princess Diana and the death of the princess in 1997.

The role of Prince Phillip will pass from Tobias Menzies (This Way Up) to Jonathan Pryce (Game of Thrones), while Elizabeth Debicki (The Night Manager) will take on the role of Princess Diana from Emma Corrin.

Also confirmed to be joining the cast in the upcoming series are Jonny Lee Miller (Trainspotting) as Prime Minister John Major and Lesley Manville as the Queen’s younger sister Princess Margaret, taking over from Helena Bonham Carter.

Speaking on her excitement for her role as Queen Elizabeth, Staunton commented: “I am genuinely honoured to be joining such an exceptional creative team and to be taking The Crown to its conclusion.”