The Crown’s Matt Smith says he ‘feels sorry’ for Meghan Markle

"Life as she knows it is gone."

The Crown's Matt Smith has told how he "feels sorry" for Meghan Markle following the news of her engagement to Prince Harry. The couple announced their engagement late last month, with the actress confirming she would be leaving the show Suits following the news. But while Smith, who stars as Prince Philip in the royal drama on Netflix, said would be "exciting" for the former actress, he reckons it's going to be a huge change for her. He told Vanity Fair: 

“I feel sorry for her. “It’s such a huge transition in her life, and it’s such a huge thing to take on. Life as she knows it is gone. "But hey, she’s marrying the prince of Britain – how exciting for her.”

Meanwhile, Claire Foy, who plays Queen Elizabeth II on the show, was a bit more positive about the upcoming nuptials. Alluding to the former Suits star's divorce from film producer Trevor Engelson, she said:

"You realise the fact that Elizabeth forbade her sister from marrying a divorced man; it goes to show how time has changed and how they’ve had to evolve. "And they really have. This would not have been conceivable, this would not have happened 50 years ago. "I think that’s why the monarchy will survive, and thrive, because it’s willing to change and listen to the people and realise that some elements of the institution are outdated and unnecessary."

The Crown's second season returns to Netflix on Friday December 8.