Police in the United Kingdom (UK) are looking for thieves who stole precious gems and jewelery used in the filming of the Netflix TV series The Crown. Police said the items were worth £150,000 and were stolen from three vehicles in Doncaster last Wednesday.
Among the 200 props stolen by the thieves is a Russian Faberge egg bought by the Queen’s grandfather in 1933.
The makers of The Crown are filming the fifth season of the series, which will air later this year. The series follows the life of Queen Elizabeth II and her immediate family.
Police said they were called on February 16 about reports of theft from vehicles. “The case has been filed pending new lines of inquiry,” a police spokesman told the BBC.
Reports in British media said the theft took place prior to the filming of scenes featuring Imelda Staunton and Jonathan Pryce as the Queen and Prince Philip. Elizabeth Debicki plays the role of Price Diana in the show.
Some of the stolen items included a grandfather clock, silverware and a domed birdcage, according to the complaint.
The fifth season covers the events of the 1990s.
Netflix said it hopes the antiques will be found and returned safely. It added that there is no expectation that filming will be delayed.
More than 70 million households worldwide have watched The Crown since its inception in 2016, according to figures from Netflix.
In September 2021, the series won the Emmy Award for Best Drama Series of the Year.