STUDENTS mingled with television royalty as they starred in a lavish period drama.

Kingham Hill School pupils embraced an 'unforgettable' experience as they filmed with the cast of The Crown, including lead actor Matt Smith of Doctor Who fame.

The huge Netflix production, which won a Golden Globe and is rumoured to have a record-breaking budget of £100m, depicts the life of a young Elizabeth II.

A team of 82 boys from the private school near Chipping Norton, aged between 11 and 18, were cast as school friends of Prince Phillip and Prince Charles in series two, which has recently been released on Netflix.

Felix Parkinson, who is in Year 11, said: "Working on a film set was quite an experience. It was unlike anything I had ever done before.

"The early wake-up calls were worth it for the chance of being on the show.

"I will never forget it and it is certainly something different to have on my CV."

The boys spent stints on set over a period of six weeks last November and December, bringing along school work as they waited to be called behind the camera.

They were paid for the privilege and many made the final cut, featuring in the background of episode nine.

Rob Jones, second deputy and former head of drama at the school, said: "It was a wonderful experience. For many of the boys Matt Smith was their first Doctor Who – he was excellent with them.

"There are quite a few boys who have aspirations to go on to drama school."

Boys were given £12 each to get 1930s or 1960s-inspired haircuts, and were put into costumes of the eras by teams on-set.

Mr Jones insisted filming was not as glamorous as it sounded, with days starting at 6am and 'incredibly hard work'.

The school seized the opportunity after a chance call from one of the show's producers, asking if they could spare a couple of pupils while they were in the area.

More than 110 auditioned and most got through to filming, which took place at the Great Tew Estate near Chipping Norton and Woodchester Mansion in Gloucestershire.

Mr Jones said it was also an honour to work with The Crown's award-winning director Stephen Daldry, who was nominated for a BAFTA for his direction of Billy Elliot.

The school was sworn to secrecy prior to the series' release on Friday, when all 10 episodes dropped onto the streaming site.

Mr Jones said students were delighted to see themselves in scenes after one year of 'eagerly awaiting' the on-screen debuts.