Meg Bellamy, who portrayed a young Catherine Middleton in the final season of Netflix’s “The Crown,” revealed that internet trolls criticized her appearance, claiming she was “too fat” for the role. The 21-year-old actress, who depicted the courtship of William and Kate at the University of St Andrews, spoke out about her experience with online negativity.
Bellamy discovered the hurtful comments after a long day of press interviews. “The comments were mostly ‘You’re too fat to play Kate’,” she said, highlighting the harsh scrutiny she faced. This was her first major role, alongside co-stars Ed McVey (Prince William) and Luther Ford (Prince Harry), all of whom joined the cast in season six.
In her interview, Bellamy described the experience as “a glimpse into being a woman in this industry.” She decided to distance herself from the negativity, saying, “You can’t listen to that sort of stuff. Not least because most of it is written by internet trolls, or men called Gary who are holding a fish in their profile picture.” Despite the criticism, Bellamy remains positive, stating, “I’m living my best life over here.”
Since filming wrapped, Bellamy has tried to leave the character behind, although she reflected on Catherine’s public journey, including her health struggles. She expressed empathy for the royal family, saying, “I so feel for her and for the family.
The final season of “The Crown,” released late last year, sparked mixed reactions from critics. The series depicted significant events, including the death of Princess Diana, the aftermath involving her ghost appearing to Prince Charles and the Queen, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 2002, and the wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla in 2005. The show has faced criticism for its historical accuracy, but Netflix maintains that it is “a drama based on historical events.
Bellamy praised her co-star Elizabeth Debicki, who played Princess Diana in seasons five and six, for being “so supportive.” Bellamy added, “I can call her about anything.
Meg Bellamy’s experience underscores the challenges actors face with online criticism and body-shaming, but her resilience and positive outlook highlight the importance of focusing on personal growth and supportive relationships in the industry.