Antique props used during filming of the Netflix TV series The Crown have been stolen in an overnight raid in South Yorkshire.
Valuables worth up to £150,000 were taken from three vans. They were to be used in scenes starring Imelda Staunton as the Queen.
One of the props reportedly stolen was a replica of a rare Fabergé egg which was acquired by the Queen’s grandfather, George V, in 1933.
The award-winning show is filming around Yorkshire for its fifth series, which is due to be aired later this year.
Netflix confirmed the theft on Thursday but said it did not expect the incident to delay production.
A Netflix spokesperson said: “We can confirm the antiques have been stolen and we hope that they are found and returned safely. Replacements will be sourced; there is no expectation that filming will be held up.”
South Yorkshire police said the case had been shelved after investigators exhausted all lines of inquiry.
A spokesperson said: “Police were called at 4.30pm on Wednesday 16 February following a report of theft from vehicles at Pastures Road, Doncaster.
“It is reported that three vehicles containing props used in film and TV were broken into and a number of items taken.
“Officers investigated the incident but all existing lines of inquiry have now been exhausted. The case has been filed pending any new lines of inquiry.”
The extravagant hit-series is due to return for its fifth instalment at the end of 2022 featuring a new all-star cast as it heads towards coverage of the late 1990s.
Staunton takes over from Olivia Colman as the Queen and Lesley Manville will portray Princess Margaret.
Elizabeth Debicki moves into the role of Diana, Princess of Wales, previously played by Emma Corrin.
The series will reportedly dramatise her headline-making 1995 Panorama interview with Martin Bashir as well as other key events in her later life. The show’s writer, Peter Morgan, has confirmed there will be a sixth – and final – series.
