Jane Lapotaire played Princess Alice of Battenberg in The Crown and made a guest appearance in Downton Abbey.

The Royal Shakespeare Company announced her death on Thursday as they paid tribute to the actress.

The statement reads: “We are saddened to hear of the death of RSC Honorary Associate Artist, Jane Lapotaire.

“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.”

Her cause of death is currently unknown.

The actress was born in Ipswich, and during her career, she won several accolades.

The actress was a foster child, brought up in a terraced house in Levington Road, Ipswich, and went to Northgate Grammar School for Girls after Cliff Lane Primary. 

Lapotarite used to hang around Ipswich Arts Theatre, in Tower Street, running errands for actors and ironing costumes, and later secured a place at the Bristol Old Vic.

Lapotaire has previously had her portrayal as Marie Curie win a Bafta award, and her Broadway portrayal of Édith Piaf brought a Tony and a Laurence Oliver Award for Actress of the Year in a New Play.

Tributes are pouring in for the actress on X, with one post reading: “So sad to hear of the death of a wonderful actress: Jane Lapotaire.

“Remember her in, Piaf, winning her TONY & Olivier awards, & Gertrude opposite Kenneth Branagh in Adrian Noble’s Hamlet.”