Helena Bonham Carter enjoys a shopping trip with a friend

Helena Bonham Carter was pictured enjoying a shopping trip in London‘s Mayfair on Thursday with a female friend. 

The outing comes as it was revealed that Lesley Manville, 64, will replace her in the new series of Netflix drama The Crown.  

Helena, 54, was wearing a fairly conservative outfit of choice which consisted of a dark coat, chunky trainers and a purple leather bag which she wore across her body.

Fun day out: Helena Bonham Carter enjoyed a shopping trip with a friend in London’s Mayfair on Thursday as it’s revealed Lesley Manville will replace her as Princess Margaret in The Crown

Chic: Helena, 54, was wearing a fairly conservative outfit of choice which consisted of a dark coat, chunky trainers and a purple leather bag which she wore across her body

Chic: Helena, 54, was wearing a fairly conservative outfit of choice which consisted of a dark coat, chunky trainers and a purple leather bag which she wore across her body

She sipped from a can of Diet Coke and had a big smile on her face as she chatted to her friend.

It was announced on Thursday that Lesley will be taking the reins from Helena for the fifth and final series of the Netflix hit, it was announced on Thursday. 

The star will join Imelda Staunton in the line-up, who has been cast as Queen Elizabeth II in the hit. 

Congrats! Lesley has been cast as Princess Margaret in The Crown

Pictured: Princess Margaret at an official royal engagement in 1966

Congrats! Lesley has been cast as Princess Margaret (right in 1966) for the fifth and final season ofThe Crown

Couldn't be happier: Lesley confirmed the news in a Twitter statement as she revealed her delight at landing the role and being able to star alongside her friend

Couldn’t be happier: Lesley confirmed the news in a Twitter statement as she revealed her delight at landing the role and being able to star alongside her friend 

Lesley is believed to have been producers first choice for the role, is set to play the Queen’s younger sister during one of the ‘darkest periods of her life’. 

Confirming the news in a statement, she said: ‘I could not be happier to be playing Princess Margaret. The baton is being passed on from two formidable actresses and I really don’t want to let the side down. 

‘Furthermore, to play siblings with my dear friend Imelda Staunton will be nothing short of a complete joy.’

Smiling: Helena apprared in good spirits as she accompanied her pal on a day out

Smiling: Helena apprared in good spirits as she accompanied her pal on a day out 

It was a big show: Helena has said she was not sure if she wanted the role in the first place because she was 'inheriting a hit'

It was a big show: Helena has said she was not sure if she wanted the role in the first place because she was ‘inheriting a hit’

On no: The Crown bosses thought she was 'insulting' them when she didn't immediately agree to play Princess Margaret

Refreshing: She sipped from a can of Diet Coke with two straws in it

On no: The Crown bosses thought she was ‘insulting’ them when she didn’t immediately agree to play Princess Margaret

The role has been played by Helena for season three and upcoming season four, and was taken on by Vanessa Kirby in season one and two. 

Helena herself might not have taken on the role as she said 

The Crown bosses thought she was ‘insulting’ them when she didn’t immediately agree to play Princess Margaret.

The actress has admitted she was initially apprehensive about taking on the part.      

Taking over: Lesley, 64, is taking the reins from current star Helena Bonham Carter for the fifth and final series of the Netflix hit (right: Princess Margaret)

Taking over: Lesley, 64, is taking the reins from current star Helena Bonham Carter for the fifth and final series of the Netflix hit (right: Princess Margaret)

Big shoes to fill: Vanessa Kirby played the role for season one and two

Pictured: Princess Margaret arriving at a State banquet at the Australian Embassy in London in 1966

Big shoes to fill: Vanessa Kirby played the role for season one and two (right: arriving at a State banquet at the Australian Embassy in London in 1966)

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, she said: ‘With Margaret, I was very conscious that I was inheriting a hit.

‘I was conscious that Vanessa [Kirby] had just won a BAFTA. At the beginning, the first two weeks, everyone was terrified. Then you relax.

‘But the other thing was I have to see a script and have to respond to the words. People were shocked that I wouldn’t just take it.

‘I think [creator Peter] Morgan thought I was insulting them, and I wasn’t. I just needed to know whether I could do it.’

However, Helena agreed to do the show after she was sent the script for the last episode of the series where she felt she ‘connected’ with Margaret.

The film star added that she took so long to say yes, not because of a lack of faith in the project, but because of a lack of faith in herself. 

Change of heart: Helena said agreed to do the show after she was sent the script for the last episode of the series where she felt she 'connected' with Margaret

Change of heart: Helena said agreed to do the show after she was sent the script for the last episode of the series where she felt she ‘connected’ with Margaret

Honest: The film star added that she took so long to say yes, not because of a lack of faith in the project, but because of a lack of faith in herself

Honest: The film star added that she took so long to say yes, not because of a lack of faith in the project, but because of a lack of faith in herself

Acclaimed: Helena's role on The Crown was incredibly well-received

Acclaimed: Helena’s role on The Crown was incredibly well-received