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ROYAL Netflix drama The Crown will end after the fifth series, show bosses have confirmed.

Viewers had expected at least six seasons of the hit show, watched by more than 70 million worldwide, but creator Peter Morgan says that will no longer be the case.

Olivia Colman, who is playing Elizabeth II, will hand over the baton to Imelda Staunton for the final series of Netflix's The Crown
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Olivia Colman, who is playing Elizabeth II, will hand over the baton to Imelda Staunton for the final series of Netflix's The CrownCredit: AP:Associated Press
Prince Andrew will escape humiliation as the show's creator confirmed it will end after its fifth series
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Prince Andrew will escape humiliation as the show's creator confirmed it will end after its fifth seriesCredit: PA:Press Association

The final series, which will star Imelda Staunton as the Queen, is expected to cover up to 2003 — missing the modern royal scandals including Prince Andrew’s relationship with dead sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle standing down as senior royals.

Creator Peter Morgan, 56, said: “At the outset I had imagined The Crown running for six seasons.

“But now that we have begun work on the stories for season five it has become clear to me that this is the perfect time and place to stop.”

The Windsors will be thrilled, as the announcement comes days after royal biographer Angela Levin revealed she’d discussed The Crown with Prince Harry, 35, who joked: “I’m going to make sure I stop it before they get to me.”

Netflix bosses will end the story in 2003, meaning Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will also have their blushes spared
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Netflix bosses will end the story in 2003, meaning Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will also have their blushes sparedCredit: Getty - Contributor
Crown writer Peter Morgan told bosses he didn't want to do another season, despite expectations he would continue until the present day
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Crown writer Peter Morgan told bosses he didn't want to do another season, despite expectations he would continue until the present dayCredit: Getty - Contributor
The Crown's star studded cast included Marion Bailey, who played the Queen Mother, left, in the third series, along with Helena Bonham Carter, who played Princess Margaret
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The Crown's star studded cast included Marion Bailey, who played the Queen Mother, left, in the third series, along with Helena Bonham Carter, who played Princess MargaretCredit: AP:Associated Press

The royal household also went to war with creators Netflix over series four, which covers the affair of Prince Charles, 71, with Camilla, 72, while married to Princess Diana, who was killed in a car crash in 1997 aged 36.

The streaming giant also confirmed The Sun’s exclusive story that Imelda Staunton, 64, would take over the part of Her Majesty, 93.

She will play the sought-after role when Olivia Colman, 46, quits at the end of series four, which is set to air later this year, covering 1977 to 1990.

Peter praised Imelda as “an astonishing talent… taking The Crown into the 21st Century”.

She said: “I have loved watching The Crown from the very start. As an actor it was a joy to see how both Claire Foy and Olivia Colman brought something special and unique to Peter Morgan’s scripts.

“I am genuinely honoured to be joining such an exceptional creative team and to be taking The Crown to its conclusion.”

The Queen, pictured here with her husband Prince Phillip, is the UK's longest reigning monarch
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The Queen, pictured here with her husband Prince Phillip, is the UK's longest reigning monarchCredit: PA:Press Association
The Sun exclusively revealed how award-winning actress Imelda Staunton would be taking over from Olivia last year
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The Sun exclusively revealed how award-winning actress Imelda Staunton would be taking over from Olivia last yearCredit: PA:Press Association

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The Crown has been a huge hit around the world since it started in 2016, chronicling the rollercoaster reign of The Queen.

The drama’s third season, which also featured Helena Bonham Carter, 53, as the late Princess Margaret, was watched by 73 million households globally – 21million of them within the first four weeks of the show being released in November.

Golden Globes -‘little bit boozy' Olivia Colman wins award for best actress in drama series for The Crown
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