King Charles’ Private Secretary Told Dominic West ‘Do What You Like’

• Dominic West plays Prince Charles in seasons five and six of the Netflix drama “The Crown.” 
• He is an ambassador of The Prince’s Trust and offered to quit when taking the role of the monarch. 
• The private secretary to Prince Charles assured him that was not necessary.

Dominic West offered to resign as an ambassador of the Prince’s Trust when he was cast as Prince Charles in the fifth and sixth seasons of “The Crown.”  

The Prince’s Trust is a charity started by King Charles in the ’70s before he ascended to the throne in 2022. According to its website, the organization focuses on helping young people in the United Kingdom who are experiencing issues such as homelessness or mental health crises by offering financial and educational resources. It also funds recreational and artistic programs, and according to its website, it currently “offers hundreds of free courses, grants, and mentoring opportunities.”

As an ambassador, West has publicly endorsed the organization. Other ambassadors of the trust include actor David Oyelowo, and West’s co-star in “The Wire” Idris Elba. 

West told Radio Times magazine his resignation was refused by the private secretary who was serving Prince Charles at the time, Sir Clive Alderton, when he accepted the role. 

“‘You do what you like, you’re an actor. It’s nothing to do with us,'” West said he was told, adding that it was his belief King Charles III held a similar opinion. 

West said having the opportunity to meet Prince Charles helped him interpret the character for the Netflix drama.

“I’ve been in a line to shake his hand a few times and it’s fascinating. It’s very useful to meet the character you’re playing, obviously,” he said. 

West plays Charles through the 1990s at a time of great turmoil for the real monarch when there was growing public opposition to the monarchy. It was also a difficult time in the royal’s personal life as Charles was the subject of a tabloid phone-tapping scandal and he and Princess Diana divorced in 1996. 

Camilla, Queen Consort to King Charles III, is played by Olivia Williams in seasons five and six of “The Crown.” West said The Radio Times when he ran into the Queen at a party, she jokingly referred to him as “your majesty.” 

Seasons one through four of “The Crown” are now available on Netflix. Season five premieres on November 9.