
Fans of hit Netflix drama The Crown are able to see the first shots of Helena Bonham Carter on set playing the role of Princess Margaret.

The award winning actress, 52, looked the picture of royalty in a statement floral print gown, decorated with tangerine coloured petals, as she was joined by co-star Ben Daniels, who plays Margaret's former husband Lord Snowdon.

At one point in the filming, Helena can be seen covering her highly coiffed brunette locks with a cloth to keep it pristine at the set in Hyland Park, Essex, earlier this week.

First look: Fans of hit Netflix drama The Crown are able to see the first shots of Helena Bonham Carter on set playing the role of Princess Margaret with on screen husband Ben Daniels

It appears that the pair were filming during a state dinner of some sort, with Ben looking suave in a tuxedo, and Helena donning white satin gloves.

Typical of the princess' glamorous style, Helena wore pearls around her neck and in her ears, as she took the hand of her onscreen husband as they stood outside a grand estate, which is being used to replicate the White House.

In a snap posted by the show's official Twitter account earlier this month, the legendary actress can be seen dragging on a cigarette while sporting a classic period updo as she takes over the role from Vanessa Kirby for the Netflix period drama.

Also tweeted was a snap of Ben Daniels as Margaret's then-husband Antony Armstrong-Jones, sporting his famous camera as he prepares to take on the role of the dashing photographer.

Fans will get to see the turbulent journey in Margaret and Lord Snowdon's marriage, eventually leading to their split in 1978 - a controversy among the royal family at the time.

Elegance: The award winning actress, 52,looked the picture of royalty in a statement floral print gown, decorated with tangerine coloured petals

Loving: Helena lovingly stroked her co-star's face while filming, while looking adoringly at Ben who plays Lord Snowdon in the upcoming season

Stunning: The actors were seen filming at a grand building in Hyland Park, Essex, which was being used due to its likeness to the White House

Dapper: It appears that the pair were filming during a state dinner of some sort, with Ben looking suave in a tuxedo as he stepped out

The photos captions hint at the possible heartache in the couple's future, as they captioned with the words 'hope' and 'hurt' respectively.

Margaret's marriage to Lord Snowdon was seen by fans in the show's second series, as she fell in love with the dashing aristocrat and decided to marry him in what proved a surprise to some.

Despite a few years of happiness, the marriage disintegrated, with Lord Snowdon uninterested in settling down as a Royal husband, and spent much of their relationship travelling as a photographer.

Hard at work: The film crew could be seen getting down to business on the set at the stunning location

Grand: Members of the cast looked dressed up the the nines for the filming, which was held in Chelmsford, Essex

The Crown also tweeted the first snap of actress Olivia Colman in character as the monarch Queen Elizabeth II.

The actress, 44, is seen posing in an elegant pink jacket and with a tea cup in hand, as she transforms into the famous Royal for one of her first appearances on the show's third series.

The Broadchurch star is taking over the lead role from Claire Foy, as the show's time setting moves along to follow the monarch's rule across the 1960s and 1970s.

Compelling story: Fans will get to see the turbulent journey in Margaret and Lord Snowdon's marriage, eventually leading to their split in 1978 - a controversy among the royal family at the time

Touch ups: Ben could be seen having his makeup sorted as he prepared to take on the role of the dashing photographer

Olivia certainly embodies the famous monarch in the image - clad in a smart pale pink jacket and a string of pearls.

Sporting the trademark crop of curls and poised with a tea cup in hand, the actress proves to be taking to the regal role with ease, as she prepares for her debut on the forthcoming series.

The official Twitter page for The Crown shared the image to fans' delight on Monday, simply captioned: 'Patience'.

Olivia, who is also known for her roles in Peep Show and The Night Manager, was confirmed to be playing Queen Elizabeth II in October.

Royal role: Helena takes the role of Princess Margaret (pictured left in 1990) in the hugely popular Netflix series

Wheels: A vintage black car was used during the filming last week, adding to the glamour of the proceedings

Grand: People could be seen standing outside the enormous white house in the bright summer sunshine

Dramatic: Actors playing old fashioned policemen were seen driving Harley Davidson motorcycles on the set

Moving on with the times: Helena and Ben will follow in their predecessor's footsteps and play the Royal couple for two seasons before the cast will change once again, in order to portray the characters accurately as they age

Picture of elegance: Helena exuded glamour and poise as she took on the role of Princess Margaret

Continuation of their relationship: Margaret's marriage to Lord Snowdon was seen by fans in the show's second series, as she fell in love with the dashing aristocrat and decided to marry him in what proved a surprise to some

Royal role: Fans have had a first look as Helena Bonham Carter as Princess Margaret in the upcoming third series of The Crown, in a snap showing the royal puffing on a cigarette

Quick break: Helena could be seen having a drink on set while still in her full finery for the scene

She is taking over the role from Claire Foy, 34, who played the same role in the show's first and second seasons in 2016 and 2017.

Delighted at her casting, Olivia said at the time: 'I'm so thrilled to be part of The Crown. I was utterly gripped watching it.

'I think Claire Foy is an absolute genius - she's an incredibly hard act to follow. I'm basically going to re-watch every episode and copy her.'

Filming began at the start of the July - with the Norfolk-born star revealing last month she had been busy trying to master the monarch's plummy accent.

Turbulent: Despite a few years of happiness, Margaret and Anthony's relationship disintegrated, with Lord Snowdon uninterested in settling down as a Royal husband, and spent much of their relationship travelling as a photographer

Hugely popular: The first series of The Crown was one of the most critically acclaimed dramas of 2016 - winning two Golden Globes and two SAG awards, and being nominated for four BAFTAs

Taking shelter: An umbrella was held above Helena as she waited on set while wearing her stunning ensemble

Speaking to The Sun, the award-winning actress admitted: 'I'm really nervous to take over something that's been so great — it's scary.

'They're giving me a great voice coach who will make sure I speak like the Queen. So I'll just learn the lines and try and copy exactly what they do.'

Olivia also revealed that Claire has offered to lend a hand, adding: 'Claire Foy has let me know I can call if I need to.'

Chic: Margaret even wore classic white gloves which sat above her elbow during filming for the scene in Essex

Stately: The stunning white property looked fit for royalty, and could be seen with the vintage car parked outside of it during filming

Having a giggle: Helena could be seen laughing and smiling with her co-star Ben Daniels, as she flashed her pearly whites

Big budget: The show, which has been met with overwhelmingly positive reviews, is the most expensive television series ever made - with the first series costing $100million to produce

Meanwhile Claire has been gushing in her praise of Olivia. She said after her casting: 'I just love her, I admire her so much and the idea that we sort of will be doing the same job but not actually working together is just enough, I'm honoured by that.'

On whether she had any advice for Colman, she added: 'The only thing I would say is take vitamins and get lots of sleep.'

Olivia will be starring alongside Tobias Menzies, who will take over the role of Prince Phillip from Matt Smith.

According to Deadline, the 44-year-old actor, who has starred in Game Of Thrones and Outlander, was chosen for the role after Paul Bettany dropped out during early talks.

New face: Helena has been recast in the role of Princess Margaret from Vanessa Kirby (right) as the third series is set to depict her turbulent marriage to Lord Snowdon

Dashing: Another snap also showed Ben Daniels taking over the role of Antony Armstrong-Jones, otherwise known as Lord Snowdon

Like twins: Helena bears an uncanny resemblance to cigarette-smoking royal Princess Margaret, (pictured right in 1965)

They are joined on the star-studded cast list by Helena Bonham Carter, who will star as Princess Margaret, Jason Watkins as former Prime Minister Harold Wilson, and Josh O'Connor, who will play an older Prince Charles.

The group will follow in their predecessor's footsteps and play the Royal couple for two seasons before the cast will change once again, in order to portray the characters accurately as they age.

The first series of The Crown was one of the most critically acclaimed dramas of 2016 - winning two Golden Globes and two SAG awards, and being nominated for four BAFTAs.

Additionally, the first two seasons have collectively bagged a whopping 26 Emmy nominations over the last two years.

Moving on: Olivia Colman (L) is taking over the lead role from Claire Foy (R), as the show's time setting moves along to follow the monarch's rule across the 1960s and 1970s

First in line: Claire starred as Queen Elizabeth II in the show's first and second seasons, alongside Matt Smith as Prince Phillip (back)

Showing him the ropes: Tobias Menzies, (L) is taking over the role from Claire's co-star, Matt Smith (R)

The show, which has been met with overwhelmingly positive reviews, is the most expensive television series ever made - with the first series costing $100million to produce.

The second series dealt with the scandal surrounding Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon, as well as swirling affair and divorce rumours between Elizabeth and Phillip.

The third is thought to focus on the 1970s, and will introduce Camilla Parker Bowles to the cast, after her first meeting with Prince Charles in 1971.

The new series is expected to land on the online streaming site in 2019.

Big hit: The first series of The Crown was one of the most critically acclaimed dramas of 2016 - winning two Golden Globes and two SAG awards, and being nominated for four BAFTAs