Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has compared Buckingham Palace to the fictional Fawlty Towers hotel, describing it as a 'shuffy old golf hotel' that smells of cabbage and has sticky carpets. The interior designer and former Changing Rooms presenter shared his candid views after a recent visit to the royal residence, suggesting it has lost its former grandeur and could benefit from a redesign.
Buckingham Palace Lacks Grandeur
Speaking to Heat magazine, Llewelyn-Bowen said: 'I was at Buckingham Palace recently and it looks like Fawlty Towers. Once a grand, lovely space, it now has a feeling of a shuffy old golf hotel, which smells of cabbage and sticky carpets.' The 61-year-old designer, known for his flamboyant style, implied that the palace could use one of his trademark makeovers.
Meghan Markle's Royal Transition
Llewelyn-Bowen, who hosts the True Royalty podcast, also commented on Meghan Markle's time as a working royal. He suggested the Duchess of Sussex had unrealistic expectations, saying: 'I think she felt that she was in The Princess Diaries and mistook joining the British royal family for Genovia.' He addressed the ongoing rift between Prince Harry and the Royal Family, expressing sympathy for King Charles as a grandfather. 'I'm sure it's a source of great sadness that he doesn't have easy access to Harry and his grandchildren. As a grandfather myself, it would break my heart not to see my silly, foolish, flighty grandchildren every day,' he added.
Personal Life and Career
Llewelyn-Bowen credited his wife Jackie, whom he married 37 years ago, for his success. 'We've done everything together. Me being on telly and everything I've achieved has been with her motivating it and calling the shots,' he said. He joked that the secret to a happy life is 'more than enough gin.' Jackie has also banned him from future reality TV appearances after his dramatic stint on Netflix's Celebrity Bear Hunt, where he passed out under an overturned raft during a challenge led by Bear Grylls in Costa Rica. 'I loved it! Despite the whole dying thing,' he said. 'I've been prancing my way across the television screens for 30 years, but always in my own comfort zone, so I liked the idea of pushing it. But maybe I went too far.'
Life in the Cotswolds
The designer has lived in a Grade II-listed 17th-century manor house in Siddington, Gloucestershire, since 2007. He praised nearby Cirencester for its independent businesses, saying: 'It's all about start-ups. It's all about people who've got a real passion for what they do, be that furnishing accessories, be that fashion, be that coffee, be that restaurants.' He highlighted the Corinium Museum and The Barn Theatre as local attractions.
