An actress who married a member of the Royal Family has revealed what it’s like being part of a prestigious institution as she said she thinks life as a royal is “total hell”
Actress Sophie Winkleman, who married into the Royal Family, has opened up about how the institution took control of her wedding day.
Sophie tied the knot with Lord Frederick Windsor in 2009, the only son of Prince Michael of Kent, a cousin of the late Queen, while her husband is a second cousin to King Charles.
Despite believing that life as a royal is “total hell”, marrying into such an esteemed family had a significant impact on her nuptials.
Sophie, half-sister to Strictly Come Dancing and Traitors presenter Claudia Winkleman, entrusted the planning of her big day to her mother-in-law, Princess Michael of Kent, while she focused on relocating to Los Angeles for acting opportunities.
Speaking to The Times, she revealed: “I didn’t know anyone at my wedding. I had my best pals there but basically it was full of faces I’d never seen before,” reports the Express.
Best known for her role as Big Suze in the cult sitcom Peep Show and a recurring role in Two and a Half Men, Sophie is no stranger to fame. Her half-sister Claudia is one of the most recognisable faces on British television.
She further commented: “The more I get to know the Royal Family, the more I get that their lives are total hell and that level of unasked-for fame is a form of torture.
“None of them went on Pop Idol or something to be famous. To have that sort of blinding spotlight in your face from when you’re born, not knowing quite whom you can trust, not knowing if someone’s going to betray you, people writing lies about you the whole time, is just brutal.
“I feel for them all. I don’t think a life with that much scrutiny and pressure is remotely healthy, but they have no choice.”
Meanwhile, Sophie isn’t the only outsider to shed light on what existence is like within the Royal Family, with Mike Tindall – wed to Princess Anne’s daughter Zara Tindall – also opening up about his position.
Mike has been hitched to Zara since 2011, and he has tackled subjects including whether he would embrace a Royal title.
Responding to the question posed by Closer magazine, he declared: “I would definitely turn that down.”
Mike has also discussed his and Zara’s capacity to earn money whilst being part of the Royal Family.
Speaking on the topic in 2023, he revealed: “Everyone thinks that just by marrying Zara that means it’s all fine and dandy. But that doesn’t stop the fact that you need a job.
“And it’s not that easy. You get quite institutionalised into rugby, it’s a way of life and you leave the game and that’s not there.”
