Sophie Winkleman, the actress famed for her role as Big Suze in Peep Show, has offered a rare and candid glimpse into the lives of her royal relatives, describing their existence as 'total hell'.
Married to Lord Frederick Windsor, the son of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, Winkleman is a regular at major royal events but continues her successful acting career.
The 'Brutal' Reality of Royal Scrutiny
In a revealing interview with The Times, Winkleman explained that her closeness to the Royal Family has given her a profound understanding of the immense pressures they face. She stated that the 'unasked-for fame is a form of torture' for members of the Firm.
'None of them went on Pop Idol or something to be famous,' she remarked. 'To have that sort of blinding spotlight in your face from when you’re born, not knowing whom you can trust, with people writing lies about you the whole time, is just brutal.' She expressed deep sympathy for them, adding that a life under such constant scrutiny and pressure is not remotely healthy, but they have no means of escape.
A Robust Defence of the Monarchy's Work
Despite highlighting the personal toll, Winkleman mounted a passionate defence of the institution and its members. She emphasised the tireless work the senior royals undertake for thousands of charities across Britain and the globe.
'The King’s Trust is the greatest engineer for social mobility in Britain,' she asserted. She also pointed to the relentless schedule of Princess Anne, who conducts nearly 500 engagements per year, and the traumatic, serious work of the Duchess of Edinburgh, who has recently met surgeons in Sudan operating on violently assaulted toddlers.
Winkleman, whose mother-in-law is Princess Michael of Kent, even joked that her arguments in favour of the monarchy are so convincing they would have won over her own communist grandfather.
A Warm Welcome and a Balancing Act
The actress, who is also the half-sister of presenter Claudia Winkleman, recalled being welcomed into the royal fold with 'open arms', particularly by King Charles. She noted that they have never discouraged her from taking on any acting roles, no matter how racy.
After marrying Lord Frederick in 2009, the couple moved to the US to further her career, where their first daughter, Maud, now 12, was born. They later returned to the UK and welcomed their second daughter, Isabella, now 9, in 2016.
Sophie has since become a dedicated royal patron herself, supporting the Children's Surgery Foundation and becoming the first female patron of School-Home Support. Her unique position, straddling the worlds of entertainment and royalty, gives her a distinctive perspective on one of the world's most watched families.
