Meg Bellamy plays Kate Middleton and Ed McVey takes on the role of Prince William in the sixth season of The Crown. Photo: Netflix
Meg Bellamy plays Kate Middleton and Ed McVey takes on the role of Prince William in the sixth season of The Crown. Photo: Netflix
Meg Bellamy plays Kate Middleton and Ed McVey takes on the role of Prince William in the sixth season of The Crown. Photo: Netflix
Meg Bellamy plays Kate Middleton and Ed McVey takes on the role of Prince William in the sixth season of The Crown. Photo: Netflix

First look at actors playing Prince William and his wife Kate in The Crown


Razmig Bedirian
  • English
  • Arabic

Netflix has released a first look at season six of The Crown with pictures of Ed McVey and Meg Bellamy as Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton.

One of the pictures features the two hand-in-hand, looking remarkably similar to their real-life counterparts.

The actors are both relative newcomers, especially when compared to the actors who have been previously cast in the series, including Olivia Colman, Matt Smith, Claire Foy and Helena Bonham Carter.

Bellamy, 19, was cast as Kate Middleton after submitting self-recorded auditions. She will be joined by McVey, 21, and Rufus Kampa, 16, who will both portray Prince William at differing stages in his life. Kampa will appear in episodes that explore how the British royal family coped with the death of Diana, Princess of Wales in August 1997. McVey will play the prince as he heads to the University of St Andrews, where he met his future wife.

Meg Bellamy was cast as Kate Middleton in The Crown after submitting self-recorded auditions. Photo: Netflix
Meg Bellamy was cast as Kate Middleton in The Crown after submitting self-recorded auditions. Photo: Netflix

"So excited to announce that I will be playing Kate Middleton in series six of Netflix’s The Crown,” Bellamy wrote on Instagram last year. “It is such an honour to be joining the most incredible cast and crew, and I will strive to do Kate justice.”

A highlight of season six will be exploring how Prince William and Middleton met. It will also focus on Princess Diana’s death and how the royal family dealt with the tragedy.

Many actors from season five will reprise their roles.

Imelda Staunton and Lesley Manville will be playing Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret respectively; Elizabeth Debicki will return in her role as Princess Diana; Jonathan Pryce will continue to depict Prince Philip; while Dominic West will play Prince Charles. Khalid Abdalla and Salim Daw will also return as Dodi and Mohamed Al-Fayed.

A release date is yet to be officially confirmed by Netflix, but it is expected that season six will premiere on the streaming platform this year. Filming began in September 2022, but was paused following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8, and then again on the day of her funeral on September 19.

Scroll through the gallery below for more pictures from season five of The Crown

  • The cast of 'The Crown' season 5, back row, from left: Senan West, Dominic West, Elizabeth Debicki, Theo Fraser Steele, Claudia Harrison, Sam Woolf, James Murray; front row, from left: Will Powell, Marcia Warren, Imelda Staunton, Jonathan Pryce, Lesley Manville. All photos: Netflix
    The cast of 'The Crown' season 5, back row, from left: Senan West, Dominic West, Elizabeth Debicki, Theo Fraser Steele, Claudia Harrison, Sam Woolf, James Murray; front row, from left: Will Powell, Marcia Warren, Imelda Staunton, Jonathan Pryce, Lesley Manville. All photos: Netflix
  • Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth II.
    Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth II.
  • Jonny Lee Miller as prime minister John Major.
    Jonny Lee Miller as prime minister John Major.
  • Jonathan Pryce as Prince Philip.
    Jonathan Pryce as Prince Philip.
  • Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana.
    Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana.
  • Lesley Manville as Princess Margaret and Timothy Dalton as Peter Townsend.
    Lesley Manville as Princess Margaret and Timothy Dalton as Peter Townsend.
  • Dominic West, Teddy Hawley, Elizabeth Debicki and Timothee Sambor.
    Dominic West, Teddy Hawley, Elizabeth Debicki and Timothee Sambor.
  • Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth II.
    Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth II.
  • Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana.
    Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana.
  • Prasanna Puwanarajah as Martin Bashir.
    Prasanna Puwanarajah as Martin Bashir.
  • Dominic West as Prince Charles and Olivia Williams as Camilla.
    Dominic West as Prince Charles and Olivia Williams as Camilla.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 6-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km

Price: Dh133,900

On sale: now 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
WOMAN AND CHILD

Director: Saeed Roustaee

Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi

Rating: 4/5

The stats

Ship name: MSC Bellissima

Ship class: Meraviglia Class

Delivery date: February 27, 2019

Gross tonnage: 171,598 GT

Passenger capacity: 5,686

Crew members: 1,536

Number of cabins: 2,217

Length: 315.3 metres

Maximum speed: 22.7 knots (42kph)

Herc's Adventures

Developer: Big Ape Productions
Publisher: LucasArts
Console: PlayStation 1 & 5, Sega Saturn
Rating: 4/5

Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill

Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Tamkeen's offering
  • Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
  • Option 2: 50% across three years
  • Option 3: 30% across five years 
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What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Seemar’s top six for the Dubai World Cup Carnival:

1. Reynaldothewizard
2. North America
3. Raven’s Corner
4. Hawkesbury
5. New Maharajah
6. Secret Ambition

RACE RESULTS

1. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) 1hr 21min 48.527sec
2. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) at 0.658sec
3. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull) 6.012 
4. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 7.430
5. Kimi Räikkönen (FIN/Ferrari) 20.370
6. Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas) 1:13.160
7. Sergio Pérez (MEX/Force India) 1 lap
8. Esteban Ocon (FRA/Force India) 1 lap
9. Felipe Massa (BRA/Williams) 1 lap
10. Lance Stroll (CAN/Williams) 1 lap
11. Jolyon Palmer (GBR/Renault) 1 lap
12. Stoffel Vandoorne (BEL/McLaren) 1 lap
13. Nico Hülkenberg (GER/Renault) 1 lap
14. Pascal Wehrlein (GER/Sauber) 1 lap
15. Marcus Ericsson (SWE/Sauber) 2 laps
16. Daniil Kvyat (RUS/Toro Rosso) 3 laps

West Indies v India - Third ODI

India 251-4 (50 overs)
Dhoni (78*), Rahane (72), Jadhav (40)
Cummins (2-56), Bishoo (1-38)
West Indies 158 (38.1 overs)
Mohammed (40), Powell (30), Hope (24)
Ashwin (3-28), Yadav (3-41), Pandya (2-32)

India won by 93 runs

World Cricket League Division 2

In Windhoek, Namibia - Top two teams qualify for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, which starts on March 4.

UAE fixtures

Thursday February 8, v Kenya; Friday February 9, v Canada; Sunday February 11, v Nepal; Monday February 12, v Oman; Wednesday February 14, v Namibia; Thursday February 15, final

The specs: 2018 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Cabriolet

Price, base: Dh429,090

Engine 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission Seven-speed automatic

Power 510hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque 700Nm @ 1,750rpm

Fuel economy, combined 9.2L / 100km

Updated: April 28, 2023, 9:26 AM