Why The Crown's Matt Smith 'feels sorry' for Meghan Markle

Matt Smith says he "pities" Meghan Markle's engagment. Photos / Supplied,AP

The Crown star Matt Smith has said he "feels sorry" for Meghan Markle following for her engagement to Prince Harry.

Speaking at an event in New York on Monday, the actor, who plays the Duke of Edinburgh in the Netflix drama, said he pities the bride-to-be because "life as she knows it is gone", the Daily Mail reports.

But Smith, 35, admitted there was still plenty for Ms Markle to look forward to, adding: "She's marrying the prince of Britain - how exciting for her."

The actor was joined by co-star Claire Foy, 33, at the event, which was moderated by Vanity Fair's Mike Hogan.

The actress, who plays the Queen in the £100m series, explained the engagement between Harry, 35, and Meghan, 36, marked a significant step forward for the royal family, comparing it to the relationship between Princess Margaret and Group Captain Peter Townsend.

She said: "You realize 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.

"And 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thrive; because it's willing to change and listen to the people and realise that some elements of the institution are outdated and unnecessary."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 second season of The Crown, which is released on December 8, will paint an unflattering portrait of Prince Philip as an adulterer.

Scenes show the Duke of Edinburgh being tempted by a flirtatious Jackie Kennedy during her visit to Buckingham Palace in 1961.

Meanwhile, the Queen's suspicions of infidelity are aroused after she finds a picture of a dancer in his bag - believed to represent Pat Kirkwood, the real-life dancer he was once linked to.

The Netflix show also suggests he was romantically involved with women on a 1956-7 tour of Commonwealth countries without his wife, aboard the HMY Britannia.