Claudia Winkleman has revealed that her favourite royal, Princess Anne, helped inspire her signature look on The Traitors. The presenter, known for her dramatic tartan outfits on the BBC murder-mystery show, said the Princess Royal was a key reference point for her on-screen persona.
Speaking to Hello! magazine, Winkleman explained that her style on the show was a blend of distinct influences. “We went quite Miss Trunchbull and Morticia [Addams], with a nod to Princess Anne, who’s our favourite,” she said. Her wardrobe was styled by Sinead McKeefry, who added that the pair also drew on Ronnie Corbett and Madonna during the creative process.
Winkleman’s bold fashion choices have become a talking point among viewers, with her cape coat proving particularly popular. McKeefry told Grazia that fans regularly ask for a “Claudia in The Traitors look”, describing the aesthetic as “gothic glam meets power dressing”.
The presenter’s theatrical style earned her the BAFTA TV Award for Best Entertainment Performance in 2023. Speaking about the decision to launch a celebrity edition of the show, Winkleman admitted she had initial reservations. “I was scared,” she told the BBC. “Only because I’m in love with this show and I wanted to keep it small. My bosses thank goodness ignored everything I said.”
Despite her concerns, she was overwhelmed by the celebrity cast, which includes comedian Alan Carr, Olympian Tom Daley, and television presenter Jonathan Ross. Winkleman said she nearly cried upon meeting Stephen Fry. “I could barely breathe when I saw them all in the Highlands,” she added. “When I talked to Stephen Fry I almost welled up, I told him ‘this was my dream’.”
