Spandau Ballet’s Martin Kemp has shared a hilarious story about what happened when Princess Kate visited his home. His son, Roman, had received an intriguing email asking if he would help with the Princess’s Shaping Us campaign, which focuses on mental health. Roman recalled the message saying, “I had an email that came through (saying) would I help with her Shaping Us campaign that was to do with mental health and it was a great campaign, they’ve been doing it for a long time.” After a Zoom call with the Princess, everything seemed set for a royal visit. But when the day arrived, things took an unexpected turn.
As excitement built up, Martin’s reaction to one royal request left everyone in fits of laughter. “My fondest memory of that day was when the Range Rovers were coming up the drive and the police guys that were with her came in and said to me and mum ‘Will you come and stand outside and wait for her and say hello?’,” reported GB News, Martin recalled. But Martin wasn’t having any of it, jokingly saying, “I said ‘Argh no, I’m not doing that, it’s getting like Downton Abbey’.” Instead of stepping outside to greet the Princess as the police suggested, Martin chose to stay indoors and let his wife, Shirlie, take care of the formalities.
When Princess Kate arrived, she was treated like any other guest, with a warm welcome at the door before being invited in, according to the Express. The day continued to be a surreal experience for Martin and Roman. Once inside, the Princess made herself right at home, even taking off her shoes as she entered. Martin and Roman shared that they had a relaxed chat with Kate over tea and biscuits in the kitchen, a far cry from the stiff, formal atmosphere some might expect at a royal visit.
These days, Martin, 63, is best known for his time in Spandau Ballet, the 80s band that racked up chart-topping hits. But he’s also a familiar face on the TV, especially to fans of EastEnders, where he played Steve Owen from 1998 to 2002. And of course, his role as a Kray twin alongside his brother Gary remains iconic. However, the visit from Princess Kate? That’s definitely one for the books.
As for Roman Kemp, he has been making headlines of his own. Recently featured in Smooth Radio, which covered various aspects of his life, Roman is best known as a radio and TV presenter who previously signed a record deal for Universal Music at 15 years old and modeled for ASOS. Born on January 28, 1993, Roman Kemp is now 32 years old. He has garnered attention as the son of Martin Kemp and Shirlie Kemp, as well as being the godson of the late George Michael, a fact that has captivated fans over the years.
Roman Kemp is currently competing in The Great Celebrity Bake Off 2025, which adds another layer to his already busy career. He was previously a host on Capital FM from 2014 to 2023, where he made quite an impression. After his radio stint, he transitioned to television and has appeared in various shows, including Celebrity Gogglebox alongside his father, Martin. The duo even hosted Martin & Roman's Sunday Best! in 2020.
In his personal life, Roman has been dating production assistant Carmen Gaggero since last year, and recent reports indicate that he proposed to her in October 2024, much to the delight of his mother, Shirlie. Before this relationship, he dated Anne-Sophie Flury, but their three-year romance came to an end in 2020.
Despite the high-profile lives both Martin and Roman Kemp lead, they remain relatable, with quirky encounters like the royal visit adding to their charm. It’s clear that while they’ve made their mark in the entertainment industry, it’s the unexpected moments, like hosting a royal, that continues to surprise both them and their fans.
