Meg Bellamy, the actress who played the Princess of Wales in hit Netflix series the Crown, has said internet trolls told her she was “too fat” for the role in a heartbreaking admission.

Bellamy, 21, was cast as a young Kate Middleton in the drama’s 2023 final season – much of which centred on the future Queen’s burgeoning relationship with Prince William, played by Ed McVey, at the University of St Andrews.

Speaking to the Mail On Sunday’s You magazine, Bellamy said: “I’d had this long day of press, it had gone well, then I went on my phone and there was all this negative stuff about my body online.

“The comments were mostly: ‘You’re too fat to play Kate.’

“That was a glimpse into being a woman in this industry… I thought: ‘OK, that’s a sign to distance yourself, because it doesn’t mean anything.’

“You can’t listen to that sort of stuff – not least because most of it is written by internet trolls, or men called Gary who are holding a fish in their profile picture.

“I’ve had so many amazing things happen to me. They’re the losers for saying that. I’m living my best life over here.”

In the interview, the 21-year-old actress said she had been able to count on the support of her castmates – even those at the peak of their stardom.

The 21-year-old revealed that the Crown co-star Elizabeth Debicki offered her support

Meg Bellamy and Ed McVey, pictured playing the future Waleses in the Netflix drama

She revealed that she had also been in touch with Australian co-star Elizabeth Debicki, who played her titular forerunner – Diana, Princess of Wales – in the same season of the Crown.

Bellamy said: “She’s been so supportive – I can call her about anything.”

In the interview, the 21-year-old from Berkshire also opened up on the real-life Princess of Wales’s shock cancer diagnosis, saying: “I’ve tried to put the character behind me… But, of course, I so feel for her and for the family.”

The former Duchess of Cambridge had ended months of speculation over her health in a heartfelt video message to Britain back in March.

The Princess of Wales has slowly been building back to her public duties in the role, releasing this photo just days ago

Princess Kate was pictured at Trooping the Colour festivities in London

In the message, Kate said: “In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present.

“Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too. As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.”

But in the months since her diagnosis, the Princess of Wales has slowly been building back to her public duties in the role – just days ago, and despite acknowledging she was “not out of the woods yet”, Kate stepped out at Trooping the Colour alongside her children in a grandstand return to the limelight.

Though in a sign that her comeback is being managed with care and caution, the princess was not present at Royal Ascot last week, with fellow cancer-sufferer King Charles leading festivities at the landmark festival of horse-racing.