Lady Frederick Windsor has revealed she needed etiquette lessons for her latest acting role, despite her connections to the Royal Family.
Sophie Winkleman, who is married to Lord Frederick Windsor, son of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, sought expert guidance for her portrayal of the Duchess of Rochester in the upcoming period drama Belgravia: The Next Chapter.
The 44-year-old actress turned to the ITV series’ historical advisor, Alastair Bruce, to perfect her aristocratic manners for the role, which will debut on screens next month.
Sophie said: “Alastair has been my mainstay for this whole series – he’s been magnificent.”
Lady Frederick Windsor has revealed she needed etiquette lessons for her latest acting role, despite her connections to the Royal Family
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She told the Daily Mail: “I’ve asked him questions every single day, from how do you pick up that stem, how do you lay your knife and fork in between eating, everything.”
The actress, who has previously appeared in Peep Show and Death in Paradise, expressed her gratitude for having such expertise available during filming.
She added: “I find it’s such a joy and luxury to have someone like that on set every day.”
Julian Fellowes, who also created Downton Abbey, praised Winkleman’s casting, saying: “I think we’re very lucky. I have worked with Sophie before, on my version of the Titanic story, and I am a fan.”
Lady Frederick Windsor maintains close relationships with senior members of the royal family, including King Charles and Prince William
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Winkleman maintains close relationships with senior members of the royal family, including King Charles and Prince William.
Following a serious car accident in 2017, she received support from various royals, with King Charles, then Prince of Wales, arranging for meals to be prepared at Clarence House and delivered to her family.
The Duchess of Edinburgh visited her in hospital, while the Prince and Princess of Wales sent flowers and Prince William personally contacted Addenbrooke’s hospital about her care.
The late Queen Elizabeth also aided her recovery by granting her access to the Buckingham Palace swimming pool.
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Lady Frederick Windsor continues her acting career as she is not a senior working royal
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Though married into the royal family, Winkleman continues her acting career as she is not a senior working royal.
The period drama, a follow-up to the 2020 series, is set in 1871, three decades after the events of the first season.
The story follows Lord Frederick Trenchard and Clara Dunn as they navigate romance, hidden traumas and buried secrets.
Belgravia: The Next Chapter is scheduled to premiere on 23 February on ITV and will explore both domestic and mercantile worlds, with scenes filmed in historic stately homes.