Prince William: Actors with British-only passports ‘barred’ from playing royal in Princess Diana film due to Brexit

New casting call states only European passport holders will be permitted to audition

Update: Producer Paul Webster has denied that British passport holders are barred from auditioning for the Prince William role – read more here

Brexit will prevent British actors from being able to audition to play Prince William in a new UK-set biopic.

A casting notice for the new drama, in which Kristen Stewart will play Princess Diana, has stated that those holding British-only passports will be unable to apply for the film.

Directed by Jackie's Pablo Larraín, Spencer is scheduled to begin shooting in Germany from early 2021 – just after the UK leaves the EU in January.

Parents of young actors applying to play an 11-year-old Prince William will need to prove that their children owns a European passport in order to register interest.

Spencer's casting director, Amy Hubbard, clarified the stipulation on Twitter, writing: “It's common on films that the passport for significant characters needs to match that of the financiers.”

Speaking about her role in the new film, Stewart admitted that getting to grips with Princess Diana’s accent has been an “intimidating” prospect.

She said she has been doing extensive research in order to know her “implicitly”, telling InStyle: "I haven’t been this excited about playing a part, by the way, in so long.”

The film has been written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight.

The Prince William casting call announcement was posted on Twitter (Twitter)

Princess Diana is currently portrayed in hit Netflix drama The Crown. She is played by Emma Corrin.