In a recent interview with The Sunday Times, actor Dominic West has addressed the media frenzy surrounding photos of him appearing to kiss his The Pursuit of Love co-star Lily James in 2020. West, who has been married to Catherine FitzGerald, Viscountess Lambton, since 2010, spoke candidly about how the scandal affected him and his family.

The photos, taken in Rome during the filming of the BBC's adaptation of Nancy Mitford's novel, sparked intense speculation about West's marriage. In response, West and FitzGerald addressed the paparazzi outside their home, sharing a kiss and displaying a handwritten sign that reassured the public of the strength of their marriage.

Since then, both West, 54, and James, 35, have largely remained tight-lipped about the controversy. However, in his interview with The Sunday Times, West shared how his personal experience with being in the public eye influenced his portrayal of Prince Charles in Netflix's hit series, The Crown.

"I'd had a very acute understanding of what it's like to feel the horror of your name or your photograph coming up in the newspapers," West revealed. "That gut feeling of horror isn't something you get inured to."

West's role as Prince Charles in seasons five and six of The Crown delves into significant events, such as Queen Elizabeth II's annus horribilis in 1992, Princess Diana's Panorama interview, and the royal couple's subsequent divorce.

In discussing the impact on his family, West disclosed that he and FitzGerald, who have four children together, occasionally find humor in the media's portrayal of their relationship. "We do joke about it sometimes," he admitted. "Whenever we went out together, the papers would always say we were 'putting on a show of unity', even if that couldn't be further from the truth."

West acknowledged that while the situation was deeply stressful for his wife and children, there were lighter moments that helped them navigate the ordeal. "It was an absurd situation," he remarked. "That was the best that came out of it, really."

As West continues to make headlines with his upcoming role in The Crown, fans are eager to see his nuanced portrayal of Prince Charles and how his own experiences have shaped his performance.