For decades, the British Royal Family has been a source of fascination for the public, not just for their ceremonial roles and traditions, but also for their personal tastes and habits. In recent years, a surprising detail about the royals has emerged: their genuine enthusiasm for television. Far from being aloof or disconnected, members of the Royal Family have shown themselves to be avid viewers, with favorites ranging from gritty crime dramas to reality competitions and classic period pieces. Their viewing choices offer a rare glimpse into their private lives, blending the worlds of royalty and popular culture in unexpected ways.
One of the most talked-about revelations involves the Apple TV crime drama Slow Horses. Since its launch on April 1, 2022, the show has won critical acclaim for its sharp writing and standout performances—especially Gary Oldman’s portrayal of the cynical MI5 agent Jackson Lamb. According to actor Christopher Chung, who plays Roddy Ho in the series, the Royal Family’s appreciation for the show is no secret among the cast. He shared, "Gary has been knighted, and he has regaled us with stories of the Royal Family being big fans of the show, so for them to have watched Slow Horses is enough for me. I'm pretty sure the Queen Camilla watches it and William because he gave Gary his knighthood." This endorsement from Queen Camilla and Prince William underscores the show’s broad appeal, bridging the gap between palace walls and ordinary living rooms.
But Slow Horses isn’t the only series to capture royal attention. The ITV crime drama Grace, based on Peter James’s bestselling novels, has been a particular favorite of Queen Camilla. The series, which first aired in March 2021, follows the dedicated yet unconventional detective Roy Grace as he tackles complex murder cases in Brighton. Queen Camilla’s admiration for the show is well documented. In 2021, she told Peter James directly, "I love your books. I've read them all, cover to cover." Her passion for the series was further demonstrated when she visited the set during the filming of its third season. Actor Richie Campbell, who stars in Grace, confirmed, "Queen Camilla's a huge fan," and hinted at her ongoing involvement with the show.
The connection between Queen Camilla and the Grace universe deepened with the release of Peter James’s book The Hawk is Dead in October 2025. The novel features a dramatic plot involving the derailment of the Royal train—with Camilla herself on board—and a shooting at Buckingham Palace. The author even offered Queen Camilla a leading role alongside her favorite fictional detective in the latest adventure, blurring the lines between royal life and television fiction in a way rarely seen before. The storyline, which sees Detective Grace go behind the scenes at Buckingham Palace, adds a layer of intrigue and royal authenticity to the narrative, delighting both fans of the series and royal watchers alike.
It’s not just crime dramas that have found favor in royal circles. The late Queen Elizabeth II was well known for her love of period dramas, most notably Downton Abbey. According to The Daily Telegraph, the Queen would often watch the show and even point out inaccuracies in its depiction of aristocratic life, particularly as she was familiar with Highclere Castle, the series’ filming location. However, her relationship with other royal-related dramas was more complicated. While the family reportedly watched the early seasons of Netflix’s The Crown, there were several reports of dissatisfaction with its portrayal of Prince Philip’s relationship with his son, as noted by The Independent. This nuanced engagement with television portrayals of their own history highlights the royals’ awareness of their public image and the power of storytelling.
Reality television also has its place in the royal household. Strictly Come Dancing, the BBC’s beloved dance competition, is a favorite among several senior royals. King Charles and Queen Camilla are said to be regular viewers, while Princess Kate and her daughter, Princess Charlotte, have been known to visit the show’s studio and attend rehearsals. Princess Charlotte’s enthusiasm for the show mirrors that of her mother, and the pair’s quiet visits to rehearsals have become something of a charming royal anecdote. Perhaps most surprisingly, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, has expressed her own desire to take part in the show. As professional dancer Johannes Radebe revealed, "She would love the opportunity to [compete in Strictly Come Dancing] but obviously she can't. She has told me this." Even Queen Camilla herself has mused about her dancing ambitions, telling the press, "I've always wanted to tap dance and in my dotage perhaps it's something I could take up." These candid admissions show a lighter side to royal life, one in which even the highest-ranking family members aren’t immune to the lure of Saturday night entertainment.
Another daytime favorite is Loose Women, a talk show that has found a loyal fan in Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York. She first appeared on the program in November 2023 to promote breast cancer screening, following her own diagnosis. Since then, she became a regular guest, discussing her books and weighing in on major stories affecting the UK. However, her relationship with ITV, the show’s broadcaster, shifted in October 2025 after her ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein came to light, casting a shadow over her public appearances.
The Royal Family’s television preferences reflect a fascinating blend of tradition and modernity. Their engagement with popular shows, whether as viewers or even as potential participants, humanizes them in the eyes of the public. It’s hard not to smile at the thought of King Charles and Queen Camilla settling in to watch a dance competition, or Princess Kate and her children excitedly visiting a TV studio. These habits offer a rare window into their downtime, revealing that, for all their duties and responsibilities, the royals share in the simple pleasures that unite viewers across the country.
As television continues to shape culture and conversation in the UK and beyond, the Royal Family’s open enjoyment of the medium serves as a reminder that the monarchy, for all its formality, is not immune to the charms of a well-crafted drama or the excitement of a live competition. Their viewing habits, now public knowledge, have become part of the broader story of how the royals remain connected to the everyday lives of the people they serve.
Ultimately, whether it’s the suspense of Slow Horses, the elegance of Downton Abbey, or the high-energy spectacle of Strictly Come Dancing, the Royal Family’s favorite shows reflect both their personal tastes and their ongoing engagement with British—and global—culture. Their choices might surprise some, but they also remind us that, at the end of the day, even royalty likes to unwind with a good show.