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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Jennifer Newton

Royals' surprising TV appearances - Charles' Corrie demand and Fergie's Friends cameo

The royals are often never far from our TV screens, popping up in news bulletins or documentaries about their work. But sometimes they can appear in the most unlikely of shows when you least expect it.

Earlier this week, King Charles made a special appearance in the hit BBC show The Repair Shop, which saw t he experts repairing an 18th-century bracket clock and a piece made for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee for him. He joined presenter Jay Blades to explain why the items were important to him and gave him a tour of Dumfries House in Scotland. But it appears he's not the only royal to pop up in unexpected shows, from soaps such as Coronation Street to even Strictly Come Dancing...

King Charles on Coronation Street

Denise met the new King while on set in Coronation Street (Reuters)

It's the world's longest running soap - so it's no surprise that Coronation Street has had a royal make a cameo appearance.

It came in December 2000, when Charles, who was then Prince of Wales, made a fleeting appearance in a live episode of the show for its 40th anniversary.

His scene showed him on a supposed visit to Weatherfield and being presented to meet Audrey Roberts - a local councillor at the time.

The footage was actually filmed earlier that day at Granada Studios and showed him meeting actress Sue Nicholls.

It is believed that Charles allowed the footage to be shown in the episode - so long as he got a mention in the closing credits.

Kate on This Morning

Kate with Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield on This Morning (ITV)

ITV show This Morning is a staple of daytime TV and hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield welcomed the Princess of Wales on to the programme back in 2020.

Kate made the surprise appearance via video link to chat about her photography project Hold Still and to encourage amateur photographers to enter.

But she also divulged several details about royal life during lockdown including home schooling for Prince George and Princess Charlotte and how the Firm was keeping up with each other with Zoom calls.

Camilla on EastEnders

Charles and Camilla during their stint on EastEnders (PA)

Not only has Charles graced the cobbles of Coronation Street, he and wife Camilla have also visited Albert Square when they appeared in a special episode of EastEnders.

They took to the streets of Walford as Mick Carter - played by Danny Dyer - threw a street party in honour of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee earlier this year.

The royal couple stunned the partygoers as they pulled up in a car outside the Queen Vic pub before they were greeted by Mick and Linda Carter, played by Kellie Bright.

In one poignant scene, Camilla was introduced to Karen Taylor, played by Lorraine Stanley, whose on-screen daughter Chantelle Atkins, played by Jessica Plummer, was murdered in a domestic abuse storyline.

The Queen Consort took a purple ribbon and tied it around a tree in memory of Chantelle, who suffered months of abuse at the hands of her husband Gray Atkins.

Camilla said: "This is for your daughter, Chantelle. This is for all victims of domestic abuse.

"It’s very important that she is remembered. My heart goes out to you, I know a lot of people who have lost children."

Fergie on Friends

Fergie appeared on an episode of Friends in the 90s (Channel 4)

The hit sitcom Friends had a string of A-listers make cameo appearances during its 10 season run. And one of them was a royal family member - Sarah Ferguson.

Fergie's cameo comes in the season four finale when the friends headed to London for Ross's wedding to Emily.

In it, she is filmed on a video camera by Joey (Matt LeBlanc), who is visiting the tourist sites around the city alone wearing a Union flag hat, after being ditched Chandler (Matthew Perry).

She says: "Hi Chandler, Joey says you don’t really like his hat, but I think it’s kind of dashing.”

William and Kate on Blue Peter

William and Kate receive their coveted gold Blue Peter badges (@KensingtonRoyal/Twitter)

Most kids dream about earning a coveted Blue Peter badge - and the Prince and Princess of Wales William and Kate became proud holders of one in 2017.

It came after they appeared on the hit CBBC show in 2017 - and they were given a special gold badge after the show recognised their work highlighting children's mental health.

After receiving the award, Kate said: "It is hugely special, thank you so much. Mental health has been a learning process for us too, and I think that is what we really want to do, to get everyone talking about it, so it hasn't got the stigma that it has had for some years."

Prince Harry on Strictly

Prince Harry during his fleeting appearance on Strictly Come Dancing (BBC)
Harry was supporting his close friend, former Strictly contestant JJ Chalmers (BBC / Kieron McCarron)

Several royals are said to be fans of the run away Saturday night hit show Strictly Come Dancing - even the late Queen.

But did you spot Prince Harry pop up in an episode in the 2020 series?

Harry featured when he sent a video message of support to his friend JJ Chalmers, who was a contestant on the show and partnered with professional Amy Dowden.

The close pals met after JJ's devastating injuries from an explosion when he was serving in Afghanistan, and quickly bonded over their shared experience of serving for the Armed Forces.

And as he prepared to dance a jive to the tune Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Harry said: "When I first met JJ he was a shell of himself but then to see you shine through Invictus and to be yourself again, that was the start of an amazing journey.

"I'm genuinely proud. You're not a dancer, proving that you can actually do whatever you put your mind to which is amazing."

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