Netflix is transforming London’s West End in Hong Kong so that they can shoot scenes for The Crown, their fifth season of royal drama.
The series, which will return to small screens in November next year, appears to be recreating the handover of Hong Kong, Britain’s last major overseas territory, to the People’s Republic of China in July 1997.
The handover of the region ended more than 150 years of British control over the territory and was attended by Prince Charles, the newly elected Prime Minister Tony Blair, then Foreign Secretary Robin Cook and Hong Kong’s last governor Chris Patten.
Scenes depict a diplomat being taken along the streets by a police officer, possibly ahead of the midnight ceremony at which the Prince Of Wales will deliver a farewell speech for the queen.
Previous images show the recreation at Elstree Studios of the emotional retirement of the Royal Yacht Britannia, which had its final journey transporting Charles and Patten back from Hong Kong after Blair vowed Labour would not use public funds to replace the vessel.
Netflix has transformed London’s West End to Hong Kong, as they film scenes for their highly anticipated fifth season.
The scenes show the diplomat being taken along with an escort by police. This is presumably before the midnight ceremony, in which Prince of Wales gave a farewell speech for the queen.
Prince Charles attended the transfer of the region, ending more than 150 years British rule over it. Also present was Tony Blair (the newly elected Prime Minister), Robin Cook (the then Foreign Secretary) and Chris Patten, Hong Kong’s former governor.
The set includes images of a diplomat being followed by police cars as he drives through Hong Kong’s busy roads.
Oliver Milburn will play Patten, while Dominic West portrays Prince Charles. Bertie Carvel portrays Blair.
Images from the set show a government official being driven through a busy road decorated with signs written in Cantonese and lit up with neon lights as police cars trail the diplomat.
British armies waged the opium battle against drug dealers between 1839-1842. British merchants were able to access the lucrative China trade after their victory.
China’s Qing Dynasty granted the Island to Great Britain under the Treaty of Nanking dated August 29, 1842. This was to put an end to First Opium War.
This set was designed in London’s West End to look just like the busy street in Hong Kong. It is decorated with signs in Cantonese, and lit with neon lights.
Extras could be seen milling around on the set, pretending they were going to a bustling street in Hong Kong during July 1997.
The set was littered with extras from Crown’s fifth series pretending to operate food stalls in Hong Kong and shop there in the latter 90s.
The back seat of a vehicle is being taken through Hong Kong by actors depicting government officials, presumably in preparation for the handover ceremony scheduled for July 1997
The fake police cars that were used to be on the sets of Netflix’s West End production can been seen. The show is also filming in Elstree Studios
On set for season 5 of The Crown, an extra can be seen. The Crown has transformed part of London into Hong Kong in preparation for its highly-anticipated return.
The Second Convention of Peking gave Britain 99 years of dominion over Hong Kong. Britain would also be able to have control over New Territories (which are linked to mainland China along with 235 other islands).
An international bilateral announcement, called The Sino–British Joint Declaration, was signed by then British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and her Chinese counterpart Zhao Ziyang on December 19, 1984.
According to this document, Hong Kong would be under Chinese rule starting July 1, 1997.
After months of public scrutiny regarding their response to Princess Diana’s death, the handover took place during turbulent times for the family.
Imelda Staunton, the queen of The Crown, will replace Olivia Colman in the fifth series. Lesley Manville, her sister Princess Margaret is to be played by Helena Bonham Carter.
Film crew and actors film scenes shot in Hong Kong last night for Netflix’s The Crown series five.
The scenes of a diplomat driving down Honk Kong’s busy roads with a police officer in 1997 were shot in London’s West End.
The setting was decorated with neon signs in Cantonese, as additional crew members gathered around to film scenes for Season Five of The Crown.
As Netflix shot scenes for season 5 of The Crown in Hong Kong, extras were seated at food stands in London’s West End.
Jonathan Pryce, 73, will take over the role of Prince Philip for the seasons showing the Royals navigating the 1990s and early 2000s while Elizabeth Debicki will take over the coveted role of Princess Diana from Emma Corrin.
James Murray will play the part of Prince Andrew in place Tom Byrne who was the second son to the Queen during series 4.
The Crown: The Royal Family’s History in the 1990s, 2000s and 2003 will be the final two episodes. The Queen is expected to give a speech at the 40th anniversary of her accession. In which she called 1992 an annus horriblis’.
She was speaking about the dissolution of Prince Andrew, Princess Anne and Prince Charles’ marriages.
The British ceased to be in control of the area for more than 150 years. The event was re-created by The Crown, season 5.
Actors share a conversation on set as they film scenes set in a car driving through a Hong Kong road in London’s West End
Photographs from this set depict a government official driving through busy roads decorated with signs in Cantonese. The road is lit up by neon lights and the diplomat follows.
The set was littered with extras from Crown’s fifth series pretending to operate food stalls in Hong Kong and shop there in the latter 90s.
Before the Handover Ceremony of Hong Kong to China, actors portraying government officials were pictured riding in the back of cars.
On the set of Netflix’s London West End production, fake police cars could be seen. The film has been transformed to look just like Hong Kong.
As Netflix films scenes in Hong Kong, cars on West London’s set will be decorated with a crown representing the monarchy.
The Crown actor portraying government officials is pictured in Hong Kong filming scenes for Netflix’s The Crown series five.