The Royals You Never Knew Made Appearances In Movies And TV Shows
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The British royal family reportedly cares a great deal about its image. While members of the House of Windsor have been privy to a lavish lifestyle, it's a far different routine compared to the glitzy Hollywood life of most celebrities. The royals are familiar with paparazzi cameras, but most of us don't associate them with spending much time on-screen. This is why you might be surprised to learn that some of your favorite royals have made appearances in film and television beyond the scope of their governing responsibilities — and not just Meghan Markle, who is also known for her role in the television series "Suits" (according to IMDb).
To celebrate Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee — which marks 70 years of her reign — Charles, Prince of Wales, and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, appeared in an episode of "EastEnders," according to the BBC. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg, as it seems as though some members of the House of Windsor have gotten a kick out of acting over the years.
Sarah, Duchess of York made a cameo in Friends
In 1998, the hit television show "Friends" had its two-part Season 4 finale set across the pond. The characters traveled to London for Ross's wedding, and as Joey (Matt LeBlanc) partakes in some tourist fun, he runs into the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson (via InStyle). In an age before selfies, Joey takes out a video camera to record the moment, which has since gone on to live in pop culture history. The duchess remarks that she finds Joey's hilarious Union Jack hat "dashing" before their interaction ends (via Instyle).
Ferguson's daughters, Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, were fans of the show and encouraged their mother to make the cameo, as journalist and pop culture enthusiast Kelsey Miller documents in her book "I'll Be There For You: The One About Friends." Miller writes that Ferguson was "coaxed into the appearance by her daughters," and the cameo was an instant hit. "At a time when Fergie-bashing had become a national pastime, 'Friends' was a welcome relief," Miller wrote.
Prince Charles hung around Coronation Street
Prince Charles — who apparently lives an extremely lavish life — won't be making his first television cameo with his appearance on "EastEnders" during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations (via BBC). The British heir to the throne made a quick cameo on "Coronation Street" back in 2000 (via Tatler). In a live episode marking the show's 40th anniversary, Prince Charles made an appearance alongside Sue Nicholls, who played Audrey Roberts (via CNN). Prince Charles' portion of the episode was recorded in advance, as reported by Tatler, but his brief time on camera still earned him a commemorative plaque on the set of "Coronation Street."
Apparently, His Royal Highness was the perfect gentleman to the cast. Liz Dawn, the actress who portrays Vera Duckworth, received flowers from Prince Charles for her 60th birthday (via CNN). It comes as no surprise, then, that he's getting in front of the camera again for another soap opera appearance in "EastEnders" (via BBC). Partaking in the British tradition of "soaps" seems to be expected of any citizen, including the royals.
Princess Beatrice crowned in The Young Victoria
Queen Elizabeth's granddaughter, Princess Beatrice, found her way in front of the camera to play one of her great-great-great-great grandmother's ladies-in-waiting in the 2009 film "The Young Victoria" (via Tatler and IMDb). Emily Blunt played a young Queen Victoria alongside the real-life royal (via IMDb). The film received generally positive reviews from both audiences and critics, according to Rotten Tomatoes. Though Princess Beatrice's role was small, it sparked a conversation about her physical resemblance to the 19th-century monarch on social media (via Hello! Magazine).
Behind the scenes, Princess Beatrice's mother, Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, produced the historical drama about the family's Victorian-era ancestor (via IMDb). However, the Latin Times reported that Princess Beatrice's grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, "wasn't very pleased with the movie" her granddaughter appeared in. "Her Majesty reportedly became upset with all of the historical inaccuracies featured in the project," the Latin Times claimed.
The Queen allied with James Bond in an Olympics comedy sketch
Who could forget the iconic opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London? Poking fun at two beloved British institutions, the Olympics Opening Ceremony featured James Bond, played by Daniel Craig, and Queen Elizabeth, played by herself, in an amusing skit (via YouTube). The skit also featured some royal furry friends, as corgis can be seen running alongside Craig's Bond in Buckingham Palace.
The queen joins James Bond on a helicopter that flies them to the Olympics Opening Ceremony (leaving the cute royal corgis behind at the palace). That's when Queen Elizabeth appears to jump out of the helicopter and parachute to the Olympic stadium in an unexpected twist. While it was movie magic that made it look like the monarch was jumping out of the helicopter, there was some solid continuity in her wardrobe from the beginning of the sketch to when she finally took her seat, which really enhanced the experience.
Prince William and Prince Harry as Stormtroopers in Star Wars
Yes, you read that right! Both Prince William and Prince Harry are reportedly huge "Star Wars" fans and did the best they could to get in front of the screen in "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" in 2017 (via Tatler). You can even watch them in their own epic lightsaber duel on YouTube from when they visited the set. The brothers were apparently cast as Stormtroopers, as actor John Boyega told the Hollywood Reporter. "It was a great experience," Boyega recounted to the outlet. He went on to say that the interaction was "more fun than intimidating," and it appears as though the royal brothers enjoyed themselves on set.
However, Prince William and Prince Harry didn't make it into the final cut of the film, according to Tatler. The brothers were apparently too tall compared to the other Stormtroopers, making them "stand out among the ranks of their fellow space soldiers," as reported by the British outlet. However, William and Harry both graced the red carpet alongside their castmates at the film's premiere (via Harper's Bazaar).