Television presenter Ruth Langsford has shared a charming and unexpected revelation about a private conversation with King Charles III, in which the monarch confessed he "couldn't dance".
A Star-Struck Meeting at ITV Studios
The memorable encounter took place in 2018 when the then-Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, now Queen Camilla, toured the ITV studios in London. The visit was to mark the 90th anniversary of The Royal Television Society.
Langsford, a star of Loose Women and formerly of This Morning, admitted to feeling "star-struck" by the royal pair. She recalled that they were keen to discuss her recent participation in the hit BBC show, Strictly Come Dancing.
"He and Camilla came for a tour of ITV, and spoke to me about Strictly and how much she loves the show," Langsford told Woman & Home Magazine. The conversation took a humorous turn when King Charles, despite his known enjoyment of dancing, made a surprising personal admission.
The Monarch's Humble Confession
"What’s more, although the monarch has often shown how much he enjoys dancing, he surprisingly claimed he wasn’t any good at it," Langsford explained. She revealed the King's exact words: "He told me he couldn't dance!"
This royal chat occurred just a year after Langsford competed on Strictly in 2017, where she was partnered with professional dancer Anton Du Beke. The pair finished in ninth place.
Reflecting on her own Strictly experience separately, Langsford has been candid about the challenges of balancing the intense training with her television career. "I wasn't that person that did 10-12 hours of rehearsals a day because I couldn't, and it was fine," she told The Mirror.
Royal Connections to the Strictly Dance Floor
Ruth Langsford is not the only Strictly personality to share an anecdote involving the Royal Family. This year's contestant, drag queen La Voix, recently recalled performing at a private New Year's Eve party for Princes William and Harry.
She hinted at a memorable sight, stating she is "one of the only people to have watched the Queen dance to Uptown Funk". This refers to the late Queen Elizabeth II, showcasing a more informal side during the celebration.
These revelations highlight the enduring fascination and occasional crossover between the British monarchy and the nation's most beloved entertainment programmes. Queen Camilla's well-documented love for Strictly continues to endear her to the public, while the King's self-deprecating humour offers a relatable glimpse behind the royal curtain.
Strictly Come Dancing continues its run on BBC One. The January issue of woman&home featuring Ruth Langsford's full interview went on sale 4 December 2025.
