The Crown's Meg Bellamy has hit back at trolls who called her “too fat” to play the Princess of Wales in the hit Netflix show.
The actress, who made her onscreen debut as a young Kate in the sixth and final season of the royal drama, said she saw “all this negative stuff” about her body on the internet after bagging the high-profile role.
In a new interview she said: “The comments were mostly, ‘You’re too fat to play Kate.’”
The 21-year-old, who played teenage Kate when she met Prince William, played by Ed McVey at University of St Andrews in Scotland, said that online trolls gave her a “glimpse into being a woman in this industry”.
“I thought, ‘Okay, that’s a sign to distance yourself, because it doesn’t mean anything,’” she added to the Mail on Sunday’s You magazine.“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.
“They’re the losers for saying that. I’m living my best life over here.”
She also revealed that she's turned to Australian co-star Elizabeth Debicki, who played Diana, Princess of Wales in the same season of the Crown, for support.
She said: "She's been so supportive. I can call her about anything."
And despite landing such a coveted part for her first screen role, she has “tried to put the character behind” her, seemingly in a bid to not be typecast.
She also shared her views on the royal’s cancer diagnosis, saying: “I so feel for her and for the family.”
In March, the princess announced in a video message that she was receiving cancer treatment after her diagnosis.
She ended months of speculation over her health in a video message in which she said: "In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present.
"Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too. As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both."
She has since taken a step back from public duties.
However, earlier this month she delighted royal fans by stepping out to make an appearance at Trooping the Colour alongside Prince William and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
