Claudia Winkleman’s sister, Sophie Winkleman, has lifted the lid on her royal connections as a member of the extended royal family, calling King Charles “a very dear friend”.
The actress, known for her role in Peep Show, married Lord Frederick Windsor, second cousin of King Charles, at a grand ceremony at Hampton Court Palace back in 2009.
Speaking fondly of the reigning monarch and his work ambitions, she said: “[King Charles] is a very dear friend. I spend a bit of time with him. You see how he works all day long, has a quick supper and then disappears until about 4am to write letters. He cares about so many things and he comes up with brilliant solutions.”
Speaking in Tatler Magazine’s February 2024 issue, the 43-year-old added she had a close relationship with the wider royal family too.
Sophie said: “Behind the camera they’re really fun, clever, kind people. I love Sophie Edinburgh, Sarah Chatto, Zara, the York girls, Tim and Princess Anne, Fergie, all the Kents and Gloucester.”
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Sophie Winkleman also revealed her friendship with the Prince and Princess of Wales, but said distance gets in the way of quality time.
She added: “I love Kate and William, but they’re so busy and don’t live in London, so I don’t see them much.” Sophie, who shares daughters, Maud, 10, and Isabella, seven, with her husband, met her other half back in 2009 on a night out.
The actor revealed they were “leaving two different parties and went for the same taxi”. After dating for a few years, the pair tied the knot, but Claudia’s Winkleman’s half-sister, Sophie, did not have many familiar faces at her high-profile wedding.
She admitted: “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. My mother-in-law, Princess Michael of Kent, took full personal charge of it all and did it brilliantly, including what dress I was wearing.”
Lord Frederick Windsor is the first cousin once removed of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
He is currently the 53rd in line to the British throne, and he and Sophie have been spotted at several royal events over the years, including Trooping the Colour and the wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston.
See the full feature in the February issue of Tatler available via digital download and on newsstands from Thursday, January 4.
