Royal star Sophie Winkleman opens up role in Wonka: 'It was great fun'

Wonka has a seriously starry cast - including a member of the royal family

The Wonka cast is a very starry bunch, with Timothée Chalamet and Hugh Grant heading up an incredible cast - but did you know that the show will also have a very special appearance from a member of the royal family? 

While many royal watchers think that Meghan Markle is the only member of the royal family to have starred in TV shows and movies before - there is a royal who is still working as an actress, with roles in Sanditon, Peep Show, Death in Paradise, and now is set to star in Wonka!

Sophie Winkleman, also known as Lady Frederick Windsor, is married to Lord Frederick Windsor. He is the first cousin once removed of the late Queen Elizabeth II, and a second cousin of King Charles III. He is currently the 53rd in line to the British throne, and he and Sophie have been spotted at several royal events, including Trooping the Colour and the wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston. 

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While we don’t have much information about the royal’s role in Wonka just yet, we do know that she’ll be playing a character known as 'the Duchess', and we can’t wait to hear more!  Chatting to HELLO!,  Sophie opened up about her cameo, revealing that it was "great fun".

Sophie is also half-sister to Strictly and The Traitors star Claudia Winkleman, and previously opened up about their relationship, telling The Times: "'We had very separate lives as kids: Claudia lived with her mum [Eve Pollard] and she's nine years older then me." 

She also opened up about joining the royal family, saying: "I've been incredibly welcomed with open arms by all of them. The Queen's been wonderful, Prince Charles has been wonderful, Prince William's been heaven.

HELLO!'s favourite Apple TV+ shows

• Bad Sisters - A dark comedy that follows four sisters who set out to free a fifth from an abusive husband. 
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• Lessons in Chemistry - Brie Larson stars in this adaptation of Bonnie Garmus's bestselling novel. It follows chemistry genius Elizabeth Zott, whose dreams of becoming a scientist are stunted by 1950s sexism. 
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• Ted Lasso - Jason Sudeikis plays a hapless American coach who comes to the UK to manage struggling football team, AFC Richmond. 
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• Silo - A dystopian murder mystery thriller in which the last of humanity live underground in a giant silo and are forced to follow strict rules they believe are in place to protect them. 

"They’d never tell me off at all if I wanted to play some [racy] role. Everyone's looked after me. Oh God, please don't make me sound too gushing." 

Speaking to HELLO!, about her love of acting, she said: "I'm much better when I work – I think most actors would say that. We don't know what the hell to do with ourselves if we're not working. But I hope I don't ever go away for so long that it's damaging [to her daughters]." Sophie and Frederick are parents to Maud, nine, and seven-year-old Isabella. 

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