--- description: Matt Smith, the actor who plays Queen Elizabeth II's husband Prince Philip on 'The Crown,' has some insight into becoming a royal spouse. title: The Crown's Prince Has Some Advice for Meghan Markle image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltab79075a9c5f6c05/6988f409e76ad2746b630374/matt-smith-claire-foy.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Newsfeed](/tag/time-section-newsfeed/) ## Newsfeed Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # Another Famous Royal Spouse Has Some Words of Advice for Meghan Markle  by [Raisa Bruner](/author/raisa-bruner/)  ## Raisa Bruner Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Dec 6, 2017 4:49 PM CUT  Claire Foy and Matt Smith attend the screening of 'The Crown' at 92nd Street Y on December 4, 2017 in New York City. Claire Foy and Matt Smith attend the screening of 'The Crown' at 92nd Street Y on December 4, 2017 in New York City.Daniel Zuchnik—Getty Images  by [Raisa Bruner](/author/raisa-bruner/)  ## Raisa Bruner Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Dec 6, 2017 4:49 PM CUT Marrying into a royal family — especially Britain’s notoriously hyper-scrutinized Mountbatten-Windsor family — is no small step. And despite the allure of crowns, gowns and castles, it can be a huge responsibility. Just ask others who have tied the knot and knitted their fates with that of the crown. Or ask those who have done it… fictionally. [Matt Smith](http://time.com/5015435/the-crown-season-2-release-date/ "undefined"), who plays Queen Elizabeth II’s husband Prince Philip on [Netflix’s popular _The Crown_](http://time.com/4557482/the-crown-review-netflix-queen-elizabeth/ "undefined")_,_ had some comments about Meghan Markle’s future as the [wife of Prince Harry](http://time.com/5039393/royal-wedding-2018-details/ "undefined"). Speaking at a screening of the show at New York’s 92nd Street Y, Smith seemed to relate with Markle’s situation. (As displayed in his story arc onscreen, Philip could be a reluctant royal consort, finding difficulty adjusting to expectations. But the real-life Philip has stuck by his Queen’s side [for 70 years now](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjEvqjC5fXXAhUV%5FmMKHfYeA80QFggpMAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2017%2F11%2F20%2Fworld%2Feurope%2Fuk-queen-elizabeth-prince-philip.html&usg=AOvVaw24fsIAhTDm3f4q3XIF3MI%5F "undefined").) “I feel sorry for her,” [Smith said of Markle](http://people.com/tv/the-crown-matt-smith-feels-sorry-meghan-markle-transition-into-royalty/ "undefined"). “It’s such a 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.” Following months of privacy, Markle has just taken on some of her [first public roles](http://time.com/5045105/meghan-markle-prince-harry-glove/ "undefined") as Prince Harry’s fiancée, including making an appearance at a charity event. She also announced her decision to leave her acting career. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/5052214/matt-smith-meghan-markle/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/5052214/matt-smith-meghan-markle/"},"headline":"Another Famous Royal Spouse Has Some Words of Advice for Meghan Markle","datePublished":"2017-12-06T16:49:28.000Z","dateModified":"2026-04-13T07:49:07.732Z","description":"\"Life as she knows it is gone. 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