Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas has revealed Prince Louis made an adorable request when visiting the show with his mum Kate Middleton and sister Princess Charlotte.
The six-year-old enjoyed a spontaneous behind-the-scenes tour of Elstree studios in Hertfordshire last December that left them enchanted with the production’s inner workings.
During their visit, the Royal family received a firsthand glimpse into the life on a television set. This included a moment of stepping into the judges’ shoes under Shirley’s own guidance.
As a charming memento from their visit, each family member also got a gift.
Speaking to The Sun, Shirley expressed her admiration for the Royal youngsters: “They are beautiful. When they visited we had these crowns on set, so I thought it would be a nice idea to give the little girl a crown and I got him a nice box of sweets.”
However, showbiz being unpredictable as usual, the thoughtful presenting of gifts didn’t go quite as expected.
Despite appreciating his box of sweets, Prince Louis was captivated by Princess Charlotte’s crown and longed for one too, reports OK!.
Shirley explained: “He went, ‘I want one of those’ and pointed at the crown. So we had to go and find him a little crown. They’re beautifully polite children. They had an absolute ball.”
Louis’ charming request comes after it was disclosed that his parents, Kate and Prince William, are avid fans of the show, often enjoying the autumn episodes with their children as a new group of celebrities partner up with professional dancers.
Shirley’s Strictly credentials aren’t the only thing that has won her Royal approval. The star also revealed that Queen Camilla is a big fan of her debut novel, Murder on the Dance Floor, which was released last year.
After the book’s release, the first in her ongoing series, The Sequin Mysteries, Shirley received a heartfelt note from the Royal congratulating her on the book, a note she has since framed.
Camilla also shares a unique bond with Strictly Come Dancing, having been a dedicated viewer of the series for many years, having proudly told 2021 winner Rose Ayling Ellis that she had voted for her to win.
In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, she united the nation with an inspiring message to the stars. At the time, Camilla stated: “It’s lifted the whole country’s spirits. I’d like, on behalf of everybody who watches Strictly, to say an enormous thank you to everybody who’s been involved in this production in this particularly difficult year.”