The Crown’s most famous props are going on display in a free exhibition in London as Netflix hopes to sell them for £1m at auction.
Left Bank Pictures – the London-based production company behind the hit historical drama – is selling a series of outfits, vehicles and other items that were commissioned for the series, which came to an end last month.
The proceeds from the Bonhams auction will go towards a new programme for film students called Left Bank Pictures – The Crown Scholarship at the National Film and Television School.
Alongside the auction, Bonhams is also putting on a free exhibition of 450 items for fans of the series – which ran for six seasons – to visit on London’s New Bond Street.
The exhibition includes the world’s only copy of the Gold State Coach, which Bonhams estimates will sell for up to £50,000 when it goes under the hammer.
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Pictured: A gallery assistant adjusts a reproduction of Princess Diana’s revenge dress, which is part of the collection of more than 450 costumes, sets and props from the Netflix series
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The world’s only copy (pictured) of the Gold State Coach is expected to sell for between £30,000 and £50,000
Two thirds of the size of the 1762 original, it was made by prop-maker Jason Szukalski, who took hundreds of photos of the real one on display at Buckingham Place to ensure every detail was copied.
What’s more, fans will also be able to see Netflix’s 4m high replica of Number 10 Downing Street, complete with lantern, railings and boot-scrapers, which Bonhams has estimated will sell for £30,000.
The immersive exhibition will also show scenes from the show that correspond with the outfits and items on display.
A recreation of Princess Diana’s revenge dress, which was worn by Elizabeth Debicki in the fifth series, is expected to fetch £12,000 when it goes under the hammer.
The black mini dress – which is modelled on Diana’s Christina Stambolian frock from 1994 – has been placed front and centre in the exhibition.
The exhibition organisers have placed a blue ruffled gown that Emma Corrin wore in season four for the show’s reaction of Charles and Diana’s tour of Australia.
The evening gown – which has a silver metallic sheen – is expected to sell for between £2,000 and £3,000.
The production company are also selling an emerald green gown Claire Foy wore in season two.
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The black mini dress – which is modelled on Diana’s Christina Stambolian frock from 1994 – has been placed front and centre in the exhibition
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Pictured: Elizabeth Debicki seen wearing a replica of Princess Diana’s revenge dress in season five
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Pictured: A replica of Queen Elizabeth II ‘s Coronation ordaining dress and the coronation chair that was used in season one
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A reproduction of Princess Margaret’s coronation gown, which is part of the collection of more than 450 costumes, sets and props from the Netflix series The Crown
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Pictured: a replica of Princess Margaret’s wedding dress from season two of the hit Netflix series
The dress was worn for a ballroom scene where the Queen and Prince Philip (played by Matt Smith) danced during a gala thrown in their honour.
Other memorable outfits from the series that are going on display include Princess Diana’s engagement outfit, Princess Margaret’s wedding dress and the Queen’s coronation robes.
The auction house will also put a version of Princess Diana’s 1987 XJ-S Jaguar up for sale for £15,000.
The exhibition opens on Thursday and will end on 5 February – two days before the online auction begins.
According to The Times, the auction has been divided in two – with 350 items going up for sale from 11 January to 8 February.
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Pictured: Emma Corrin and Josh O’Connor as Prince Charles and Princess Diana in season four of The Crown
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The Crown’s replica of Princess Diana’s bright blue engagement outfit has been valued at £2,000
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Claire Foy and Matt Smith pictured filming season two of The Crown in an episode where a ball has been thrown in their honour
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The bright blue gown Claire Foy wore for the scene is expected to sell for £5,000 at auction with Bonhams
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The production company are also selling a facade of 10 Downing Street, complete with lantern, railings and boot-scrapers, which Bonhams has estimated will sell for £30,000
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A replica of Prince Philip’s early 20th century mahogany and gilt-metal mounted pedestal desk is valued at £5,000
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A fiberglass replica of Westminster Abbey’s coronation chair, estimated to go for £20,000
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Left: Pink striped Alpaca Sweater from Season 4 Episode 2 has an estimate of £1,200. Right: Princess Diana Jumper from season 5 Episode 7 is valued at £700
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On the smaller scale of things, the Queen Mother’s drink set and swizzle stick are estimated to sell for between £60 and £80
A separate live auction will take place on 7 February with a further 161 lots.
On weekdays, the exhibition will be open between 9:30 and 4:30pm. On weekends, fans of the show can visit between 10am and 4pm.
Two hundred members of the public will be able to attend the live auction next month and Charlie Thomas – Bonhams’ head of house sales – estimates that it may last eight hours.
Royal fans will also have the opportunity to bid for a replica of Princess Diana’s striking sapphire and diamond engagement ring, which is expected to sell for £3,000, as well as a version of the Harvard University jumper she was once photographed leaving the gym in.
The Crown’s creators are hoping to raise £1 million from the sale, with all proceeds going to the National Film and Television School to set up the Left Bank Pictures – The Crown Scholarship.
Andy Harries, chief executive of production company Left Bank Pictures and executive producer of The Crown, said: ‘Its huge global success has much to do with working with the best creative and production talent in this country, and we want to invest the profits of this magnificent auction into the next generation of film and TV talent.
‘The NFTS has been part of The Crown’s history from the start with many of its graduates contributing to the production of the show over the years.
‘I have long admired the ethos and training of the school and supported it personally. So I am thrilled that the legacy of The Crown will be to provide so much financial support for so many students at the NFTS over the next few decades.’
