The Crown and Downton Abbey star Jane Lapotaire dies aged 81

The Crown star Jane Lapotaire has died aged 81.

Lapotaire, who played Princess Alice of Battenberg in the royal drama, passed away on March 5.

Her death was announced by The Royal Shakespeare Company on Thursday, but no cause of death was given.

"We are saddened to hear of the death of RSC Honorary Associate Artist, Jane Lapotaire," the statement read.

"A truly brilliant actress, Jane joined the RSC in 1974 to play Viola in Twelfth Night. A few years later, she took the title role in Pam Gems' Piaf, winning Olivier and TONY Best Actress awards.

"In 1992, she played Gertrude opposite Kenneth Branagh in Adrian Noble's Hamlet. Her final two performances for the Company were in 2013 as the Duchess of Gloucester in Greg Doran's Richard II alongside David Tennant, and, in 2015, as Queen Isobel in Henry V, again directed by Greg.

"Our thoughts are with Jane's family and friends."

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Lapotaire is survived by her screenwriter son Rowan Joffe, 53, who she shared with her ex-husband, movie director Roland Joffe.

The actress gained widespread television fame for her portrayal of the scientist in the BBC miniseries Marie Curie in 1977.

Modern audiences may recognise her from Season 3 of The Crown, where she played Princess Alice of Battenberg, the mother of Prince Philip.

She also appeared as Princess Irina Kuragin in the fifth season of Downton Abbey.

Her career was interrupted in 2000 after she suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and had to undergo surgery.

After a month-long stint in the ICU, the actress turned her harrowing health ordeal into an award-winning memoir, Time Out of Mind, which hit shelves in 2004.

Many fans took to social media to share their tributes for the beloved actress, with one writing: "'Gosh! A phenomenal actor. I saw her in the lead role in Saint Joan at York Theatre Royal back in 1985 when I was only 14.

"It was one of my first visits to the theatre, but had stuck in my mind. Probably instrumental in a lifelong love of the arts. RIP."

Another added: "Wonderful actor. I remember being captivated by her performance as Lady Macbeth in a BBC Shakespeare film opposite Nicol Williamson, back in the misty moments of the 1980s. Never forgotten that. I pretty much fell in love with theatre on the spot."

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