Actress Sophie Winkleman married into the Royal Family and says she “didn’t know anyone” at her wedding after her mother-in-law organised it

Sophie Winkleman married into the Royal Family (Image: Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)

An actress who married into the Royal Family revealed how the institution took over her wedding day.

Sophie Winkleman wed Lord Frederick Windsor in 2009. He is the only son of Prince Michael of Kent, a cousin of the late Queen, while her husband is a second cousin of King Charles.

While she reckons the lives of those in the Royal Family are “total hell”, marrying into such a prestigious family seemingly had a big impact on her wedding.

Sophie – who is the half-sister of Strictly Come Dancing and the Traitors presenter Claudia Winkleman – says she left the organisation of her big day to her mother-in-law, Princess Michael of Kent. She was focusing on a move to Los Angeles to pursue acting opportunities.

She told The Times: “I didn’t know anyone at my wedding. I had my best pals there but basically it was full of faces I’d never seen before.”

Lord Frederick Windsor and Sophie Winkleman tied the knot in 2009 (Image: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty I)

Sophie is most famous for playing the role of Big Suze in cult sitcom Peep Show while she also had a recurring role in Two and a Half Men.

She knows a thing or two about being famous as an actress. Her half-sister is one of the most famous faces on British television

She added: “The more I get to know the Royal Family, the more I get that their lives are total hell and that level of unasked-for fame is a form of torture.

“None of them went on Pop Idol or something to be famous. To have that sort of blinding spotlight in your face from when you’re born, not knowing quite whom you can trust, not knowing if someone’s going to betray you, people writing lies about you the whole time, is just brutal.

“I feel for them all. I don’t think a life with that much scrutiny and pressure is remotely healthy, but they have no choice.”

Sophie Winkleman with King Charles and Queen Camilla (Image: WireImage)

Meanwhile, Sophie isn’t the only non-royal individual to speak about what life is like inside the Royal Family with Mike Tindall, married to Princess Anne’s daughter Zara Tindall, also addressing his own role.

Mike has been married to Zara since 2011, he has addressed such issues as to whether he would accept a royal title. In response to the question asked by Closer magazine, he said: “I would definitely turn that down.”

Mike has also addressed his and Zara’s ability to generate an income whilst inside the Royal Family. Speaking about the matter in 2023, he said: “Everyone thinks that just by marrying Zara that means it’s all fine and dandy. But that doesn’t stop the fact that you need a job.

“And it’s not that easy. You get quite institutionalised into rugby, it’s a way of life and you leave the game and that’s not there.”