The Crown's Fictional Depiction of Kate Middleton's Introduction and Real Meeting with Prince William

The Crown's Historical Fiction

The series finale of The Crown introduced Kate Middleton as a character, and also showed her meeting Princess Diana, leaving its audience confused whether that really happened. The Crown is a historical fiction drama following the British monarchy, showing a different side of the royals and reimagining many pivotal moments of Queen Elizabeth II's reign, and it concluded after six critically-acclaimed seasons. Even though The Crown took inspiration from real life, there were many moments that straddled the line between real and fiction, and Kate's introduction in season 6 is proof of that.

Princess Diana (Elizabeth Debicki) looking at Prince William (Rufus Kampa) in The Crown season 6 episode 7

The Crown reached recent history with its fifth season, which started tackling the 1990s, and that continued with season 6. With its two-part last season, which covered the years between 1997 and 2005, it featured many memorable events like Princess Diana's tragic fatal car crash, Prince Charles' wedding Camilla, and also Prince William meeting Kate Middleton, his future wife. Throughout the series, The Crown became so controversial it needed a disclaimer, and some of its most unorthodox moments included Prince Charles and Diana's conversation after divorce, Prince Philip's alleged affairs, and Princess Diana's ghost, adding one more in its last episodes.

Prince Wlliam (Rufus Kampa) looking at Kate (Ella Bright) in The Crown season 6 episode 7

The Crown has been taking creative liberties with its accuracy from its earliest seasons, but it received even more backlash as it neared the present day. The real Princess of Wales confirmed last spring that she'd never met Princess Diana when speaking to a fan. Middleton talked about wearing Princess Diana's engagement ring, adding that, 'sadly I never got to meet her,' in a conversation with a fan (via People). The same sentiment was previously shared by Prince William following his wedding to Middleton in 2011 during an ABC interview: “I’m just very sad that she’s never going to get a chance to meet Kate.” (via People).

Princess Diana (Elizabeth Debicki) with Prince William (Rufus Kampa) smiling at Kate (Ella Bright) in The Crown season 6 episode 7

The Fictive Depiction of Kate Middleton

The Crown season 6 episode 7, 'Alma Mater' introduces a young Kate Middleton (Ella Bright), meeting Princess Diana (Elizabeth Debicki), but that is false. The events allegedly took place in December 1996, when Kate was fifteen. As she was shopping with her mother, she saw Princess Diana selling copies of The Big Issue for charity with Prince William (Rufus Kampa), and Kate urged her mom to donate, too. Kate introduces herself to Diana, and exchanges a few glances with Prince William, leading to her putting up his poster in her room later. However, none of that happened in real life. The Crown introduces Kate with a fictive scene.

Kate (Ella Bright) and her mom seeing Diana in The Crown season 6 episode 7

Kate's introduction in season 6 is a clear example of how The Crown has been taking creative liberties with its accuracy. The series has straddled the line between real and fiction, and Kate's encounter with Princess Diana is proof of that. The real Princess of Wales confirmed last spring that she'd never met Princess Diana. Middleton talked about wearing Princess Diana's engagement ring, adding that, 'sadly I never got to meet her,' in a conversation with a fan (via People).

Kate (Ella Bright) smiling at Princess Diana (Elizabeth Debicki) in The Crown season 6 episode 7

The Real Meeting of Kate Middleton and Prince William

After finishing the fictive scene of Kate Middleton meeting Diana, The Crown went on to depict Middleton and Prince William's real meeting. They met in 2001 when they were both students at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. The two were friends for over a year before becoming a couple, and went public with their relationship in 2004. Prince William proposed in 2010, a few years after their brief split in 2007. Prince William and Kate Middleton got married on April 29, 2011, in a big ceremony at Westminster Abbey in London, UK, and they share three children. None of them appeared in The Crown season 6.

Prince William (Ed McVey) and Kate (Meg Bellamy) standing face to face in The Crown