The Royal Family are no strangers to the small screen. We're used to seeing them on our TV screens, whether at the annual Christmas speech or special events. The British monarchy has inspired some of the most popular films and TV shows in the 21st century, most recently thanks to Netflix's hit series The Crown. But their relationship with film and TV changed somewhat when Prince Harry married Hollywood actress Meghan Markle in 2017.
Despite leaving her acting career behind to pursue humanitarian work, the former Suits star has crept back onto our screens over the years. Most recently, that has included her Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, and her appearance on MasterChef Australia during her trip Down Under this Spring. But she's not the only Royal to step in front of the camera and test the waters of the acting world. As Harry and Meghan eye up their next Hollywood venture, Express.co.uk revisits some of the most unexpected royal appearances in films and TV shows.
7. It's A Royal Knockout
In 1987, Prince Edward roped in his sister Anne, and brother Andrew and his then-wife Sarah Ferguson when they came up with the idea of creating a royal version of the popular TV competition, It's a Knockout. Anne captained the red team with Sarah, while Edward led the yellow team, and Andrew was in charge of the green team. The programme featured the royals and a host of celebrity guests, all in medieval costumes, as they took on a series of physical challenges. Despite the fact that Rowan Atkinson and Barbara Windsor hosted the TV spectacular, the programme failed to resonate with viewers or critics and was later axed.
6. Top Gear
Top Gear returned with a bang in 2016, hosted by a carousel of presenters like Chris Evans and Matt LeBlanc. The BBC motoring show is used to welcoming Hollywood royalty onto the show to put their driving skills to the test on the infamous race course. But in 2019, they welcomed two members of the Royal Family onto the show. Zara Tindall and her husband Mike challenged each other to see who could complete a lap of the course the fastest. Despite teasing each other as they zoomed around the course, the former rugby player beat his wife by just one second. Their involvement brought much-needed attention to the show, but ultimately, the show's downfall was Freddie Flintoff's horrific car crash in 2022.
5. The Repair Shop
In October 2022, King Charles filmed his appearance on The Repair Shop before the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, and his subsequent ascension to the throne. In the surprising appearance to mark the BBC's centenary, Charles asked the team to put their crafty skills to good use to fix some antiques from Scotland's Dumfries House. It was heartwarming to see the King walking through the craft barn with a cup of tea in hand as he discussed some of their impressive work over the years. This was a great introduction to the senior royal households in Britain as the new King of England.
4. Friends
In 1998, Sarah Ferguson hit the headlines when she made an infamous appearance in the fourth series finale of the beloved US sitcom, Friends. The American clan jetted across the pond for Ross' wedding to Emily, but before their nuptials, Matt's character, Joey, took in the sights as he tourist-hopped around London. The fiery redhead bumped into the bumbling character and complimented him on his 'dashing' Union Jack hat. Delighted, Joey gushes as he captures the moment on video camera, squealing: 'Fergie baby!' According to reports, the duchess agreed to the cameo because her daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, were huge fans of the show. The moment has gone on to become one of the iconic episodes of the show's history; however, the royal was only in the show for a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment.
