This Is The Instagram Account The Crown Fans Should Be Following

It's no wonder The Crown has reigned television screens across the globe, as the Netflix series gives royal devotees unprecedented access into the mysterious lives of the Windsor family.

Proudly boasting a no-expenses-spared budget, the cult drama has been able to recreate historic moments by hiring out some of the UK's most prestigious buildings.

But where do the cast and crew film some of the series' most memorable moments?

A new Instagram account is here to give followers of the show behind-the-scenes access to The Crown filming locations.

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British photographer Thomas Duke is a firm fan of the regal series and made it his mission to track down the dazzling churches, castles and residences which play host to Her Majesty, Olivia Colman.

For the project, the 20-year-old travelled across the nation seeking the places given the royal stamp of approval.

Duke then took a photograph of each location alongside a still from the scene filmed in that very location for his account, @steppingthroughfilm.

steppingthroughfilm View Profile

"It is not a choice. It is a duty." * ad | I teamed-up with @netflixuk to explore the royal elegance & beauty of @thecrownnetflix 👑 Following in the footsteps of such golden splendour was quite an extravagant feeling - standing where Olivia Colman, Her Majesty, spoke her speeches as she firmly commanded a country. This series is woven through the history of Britain, filmed all over the authentic landscape and architecture of the United Kingdom, and done so with the utmost respect, honour, and justice to the crown. Every member of the cast embodies their true-to-life persona with talent and suave, it's truly a delight to watch this series grow into the arms of the nation. Season 4 is already gearing up to be an intense insight into the next chapter of the Royal family. * London. Reading. Buckingham. Windsor. Wales - just some of the stunning locations used from around the UK for filming. This production is primarily set in London with the first two shots seen here taking place at the Royal Naval College in Greenwich (also home to many Hollywood blockbusters) with the others being shot all around the lush countryside of stately homes and glorious estates. I feel extra British while writing all of this, proud to be! It was a real joy to explore all of these locations and to step through this royally stunning historical slice of television. * * #thecrown #netflix #oliviacolman #clairefoy #charlesdance #mattsmith #helenabonhamcarter #queen #monarchy #royalfamily #uk #british #england #london #buckingham #locations #tv #photography #art

The collaborative project with Netflix saw Duke visit UK landmarks such as the Royal Naval College in Greenwich - which provided the backdrop to several key scenes in season three.

Meanwhile, St Mark's Church in Berkshire - which just so happened to be where Pippa Middleton wed James Matthews in 2017 - was used to shoot the royal family's Sunday worship ritual.

"Following in the footsteps of such golden splendour was quite an extravagant feeling - standing where Olivia Colman, Her Majesty, spoke her speeches as she firmly commanded a country," he captioned the post.

"This series is woven through the history of Britain, filmed all over the authentic landscape and architecture of the United Kingdom, and done so with the utmost respect, honour, and justice to The Crown."

steppingthroughfilm View Profile

"We've been expecting you..." * I became a Lord for the day and visited the one and only Downton Abbey. @highclere_castle stands in for the grand escapism of the wonderful 1900s set television drama. For 5 years - 2010 to 2015 - I remember watching the series every Sunday night and now I'm standing in the place where the cameras rolled and the history books unfolded. I've recently re-watched many of the episodes and it made me remember what made this show so beloved; its characters, its costumes, its period. So much life in one house! It was a pleasure to visit this grand estate and it was every bit as aesthetically pleasing as you'd expect. PS. It also looks identical to the screen, inside and out! * There are annual tours that take place here which allow you to soak in the scenery, certainly something for the fans! This past weekend was extra special as it was the week before the release of the film. Vintage cocktails and costumes a plenty; it was like stepping through the silver screen with the likes of @bonhughbon visiting as well. While filming, the entire estate was closed to the public, it was only since 2015/16 that people have been allowed to visit. The entirety of the 'downstairs' scenes, as well as some of the bedrooms etc, were shot on set but mostly everything else was shot on location here and around Oxford. Thank you to Highclere Castle for your hospitality in this little adventure, I already want to come back and experience it all over again! 📚 * * #downtonabbey #tv #1900s #worldwar #highclerecastle #british #itv #focusfeatures #history #iconic #berkshire #oxford #ladymary #lordgrantham #hughbonneville #michelledockery #maggiesmith #film #photography

"Every member of the cast embodies their true-to-life persona with talent and suave, it's truly a delight to watch this series grow into the arms of the nation," he continued. "Season four is already gearing up to be an intense insight into the next chapter of the royal family."

Duke has been working on the Instagram account for two years and it's a must-follow for serious cinephiles with references to films and television shows including Friends, Bohemian Rhapsody, Downton Abbey and The Girl On The Train.

steppingthroughfilm View Profile

"I see a little silhouetto of a man. Scaramouche, Scaramouche, will you do the Fandango?" 👑 🎬 * On this day in 1975 the greatest song of all time was released... 'Bohemian Rhapsody'! 44 years later and it is still possibly THE greatest song of all time while also being the most streamed song of the 20th century - Freddie Mercury would be proud! In honour of this I visited a scene from the 2018 film, @bohemianrhapsodymovie, and revelled in the birth place of this Oscar winning performance from Rami Malek. His transformation into Freddie Mercury is something to stare at in awe, he truly embodied the iconic stance of this musical legend with the utmost respect, power, and style. Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon, together with Freddie, created this unique sound that has lived on forever and the legacy is illustrated really wonderfully through all of their respective parts in the film. About the song, Brian May said, "We all interacted, we all contributed bits and pieces and argued as we always did, but it was Freddie's baby and everyone respected that in the end." * This pub in the film is The Rutland Arms (a short walk from Hammersmith tube station) in Hammersmith, London. It's where the band have their first meeting with John Reid. It was such a beautiful place to visit with views across the Thames - a great sunset vantage point. The barman was really lovely too and was there while filming - they all came in and had a pint and he remembered serving Rami Malek! He also served Daniel Craig a few months back as they were filming the new Bond film, 'No Time to Die', around here. Apparently he ordered a Guinness... shame it wasn't a martini. * * #bohemianrhapsody #musical #queen #band #friendship #music #inspire #freddiemercury #brianmay #ramimalek #song #music #band #iconic #anniversary #history #halloween #film #photography #london

Those inspired by the account will be pleased to learn that a number of the filming locations used for season three of The Crown are open to the public - unlike the Queen's private Buckingham Palace quarters.

Winchester Cathedral in Hampshire, England was hired to recreate former prime minister Winston Churchill's funeral in 1965 which famously took place at St Paul's Cathedral in London.

While Hylands House in Essex, England was made to look like the White House for the second episode of season three which sees Princess Margaret and then-husband Lord Snowdon visit the US in a bid to strengthen Anglo-American relations at the request of Her Majesty.

"With The Crown being showered in so much royal culture and historical splendour, exploring these locations was truly wonderful," Duke told marie claire Australia.

"All of these historical estates and British recreations of our heritage were full of interesting insights and perspectives on our past," he continued. "It's always fun to explore these locations as a film student and film fan, it adds that extra level of wonder when you're a fan of said production - in this case, The Crown!"

Anyone else already planning a trip to Old Blighty?

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Calling All Fans Of 'The Crown', This Is The Instagram Account You Need To Follow

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