Kristen Stewart, who portrayed Princess Diana in the 2021 film Spencer, continues to feel deeply affected by the experience, years after the movie’s release. The 35-year-old actress shared that playing the late Princess of Wales has left a lasting impression on her, especially when visiting places closely connected to Diana’s life and tragic death.
Stewart said the emotions tied to the role are particularly strong when she is in the UK or Paris, where Diana died in a car accident in 1997 at age 36. This connection with Diana resonates strongly, highlighting the profound impact the role had on the actress’s life and perspective.
Initial Doubts and the Director’s Influence
When director Pablo Larraín suggested Stewart take on the role of Diana, she was initially skeptical, even describing the idea as “insane.” However, Larraín convinced her by pointing out parallels between Stewart and Diana’s experiences under intense public scrutiny, especially since Stewart herself became famous as a teenager through the Twilight series.
Stewart opened up about the pressure of being constantly followed by the paparazzi, explaining how it “does kind of soul suck” and how exposing oneself as an actor can be difficult due to public judgment. The actress felt a significant responsibility after Larraín trusted her with the demanding role, despite her own suggestions that someone else might be more suitable.
Exploring Princess Diana’s Inner Struggles
Spencer centers on a tense Christmas in 1991 at the Sandringham Estate, focusing on Diana’s emotional turmoil amid her husband Prince Charles’s affair with Camilla Parker Bowles. The film portrays Diana’s struggle to find her place within the royal family and to come to terms with her spouse’s betrayal.
Stewart admitted that at first, she felt unprepared to take on the role, highlighting physical differences such as eye color and stature. She recalled:
“There were some massive distinctions between her and me. It was the statuesque thing…it was the eye colour – I have green eyes; she has very famously blue eyes that match her ring. So I was like, ‘Should we make the engagement ring green, then?’” – Kristen Stewart
These details became overwhelming, but her director advised her to move beyond them and focus on the emotional spirit they shared.
Embodying Diana’s Vulnerability and Strength
Following Larraín’s guidance helped Stewart deliver a performance that earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress in 2022. She vividly described her connection with Diana’s character:
“She was plucked, plucked to death [by paparazzi]. And her rebellious qualities felt so desperate, and so young and so vulnerable,” – Kristen Stewart
Stewart also credited the wardrobe department with helping her enter Diana’s mindset, noting:
“The clothes were part of the armour,”
“They allowed me to step into her physical space and create images of her in this prison of a castle yet wearing lavish, stunning pieces of clothing. That is a poem in itself.” – Kristen Stewart
The Lingering Presence of Princess Diana in Stewart’s Life
Even five years after making Spencer, Stewart said she still feels haunted by the experience of playing Diana. During an interview in London, she revealed the emotional weight that remains with her when she is in cities tied to Diana’s life:
“I can’t drive round this city, and Paris for that matter, without thinking about her. All the love that poured out of this woman…I can cry about her at any moment.” – Kristen Stewart
This ongoing emotional connection demonstrates the lasting impact the role has had on her personally.
Kristen Stewart’s New Creative Endeavors
Beyond her reflections on Spencer, Stewart recently marked a personal milestone by marrying screenwriter Dylan Meyer. She is also preparing for her directorial debut with the release of The Chronology of Water on February 6. The film stars British actress Imogen Poots and tells the story of an Olympic swimming hopeful who escapes an abusive home, battles addiction, and ultimately finds hope through literature and education.
This adaptation of Lidia Yuknavitch’s 2011 memoir earned a standing ovation lasting over six minutes at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, signaling Stewart’s promising future behind the camera as well as on screen.
