When you think of what the Royal Family’s worst days may be, you would assume that King Edward VIII’s abdication, the fire at Windsor Castle and the day that the 1969 BBC documentary aired would make the list. However, if there is one event that is certainly missing but would no doubt be included it is when ‘It’s a Royal Knockout’ was staged 38 years ago today in 1987.
The show, which was organised by Prince Edward, saw several of the biggest celebrities compete in teams led by four senior royals to raise money for their chosen charities. The programme was largely mocked by the public and was later referred to as a “TV disaster”.
It was later revealed that Queen Elizabeth II openly disapproved of the fact that three of her children and her daughter-in-law took part in the special and couldn’t bring herself to watch it.
On June 15, 1987, the event – which was officially known as The Grand Knockout Tournament – took place in the grounds of Alton Towers and saw Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and Sarah, Duchess of York dress up in Medieval costumes to raise money for various charities.
Each royal was joined by a team of many notable names that included everyone from John Travolta to John Cleese and singer Meatloaf.
The day saw everything from Prince Edward galloping around in a yellow tunic, Princess Anne cheering as Gary Lineker completed an obstacle course while dressed as a vegetable and Prince Andrew almost having a fight with the late singer Meatloaf.
While the four royals ended up raising over £1 million for The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme (Prince Edward), Save The Children (Princess Anne), The World Wildlife Fund (Prince Andrew) and The International Year of Shelter for the Homeless (Sarah, Duchess of York), there was huge embarrassment behind palace walls.
While three of her children and daughter-in-law had joined in with the day, the late Queen, Prince Philip and the-then Prince Charles were nowhere to be seen as they were said to not want any part in it.
It was later reported that the monarch had disapproved of the programme with her biographer Ben Pimlott addressing how the disastrous PR exercise had affected the family.
A friend of The Queen said: “It was a terrible mistake and she was against it but one of her faults is that she can’t say no. There was not a single courtier who did not think it was a mistake. Their advice was confounded by youthful enthusiasm and the Queen’s maternal indulgence.”