Actress Naomi Watts is seen portraying Princess Diana on the...

Actress Naomi Watts is seen portraying Princess Diana on the set of "Caught In The Flight." Credit: Splash News

The first photos have emerged of Australian actress Naomi Watts portraying Britain's late Princess Diana, in the film biography "Caught in Flight," set for release next year.

Watts, the Academy Award-nominated star of "21 Grams," was photographed shooting scenes for the drama about the princess' final two years before her August 1997 death in a car crash at age 36.

The film, from "Downfall" director Oliver Hirschbiegel, follows the Princess of Wales' romance with heart surgeon Dr. Hasnat Kahn, played by "Lost" ensemble star Naveen Andrews, and reportedly also her relationship with film producer Dodi Fayed, who died in the same Parisian auto accident that claimed Diana's life.

"It is such an honor to be able to play this iconic role," Watts said in a statement in February. "Princess Diana was loved across the world, and I look forward to rising to the challenge of playing her on screen."

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