BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Claudia Winkleman's family ties to the Royals and her marriage to famous producer

Claudia Winkleman has been a familiar face on British television since the 90s and has been seen in a string of popular shows including Strictly Come Dancing, the BBC series Holiday, God's Gift, Pyjama Party and most recently The Traitors. Since then, the 52-year-old has become a household name known for her career in TV and radio along with her signature smokey-eyed look and glossy bob.

Despite her public persona, Claudia tends to keep her personal life under wraps, particularly when it comes to her children. This weekend Claudia will return to screens once more as the new series of Strictly Come Dancing begins. However, what many fans of the BBC star might not know is that Claudia has Royal ties through her half-sister, reports Express.

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Sophie Winkleman, Claudia's sibling who shares the same father, married into the monarchy when she tied the knot with Lord Frederick Windsor back in 2009. Lord Frederick is the son of the late Queen Elizabeth's cousin, Prince Michael of Kent.

Sophie, who has acted in the past, isn't considered a working royal although she took on the title of Lady Frederick Windsor when she got married. She is often seen at various Royal events and was spotted sharing a laugh with King Charles at Royal Ascot last year.

Over the years, Claudia's sister has been a familiar face on the Buckingham Palace balcony and has even been seen with Kate Middleton.

Yet despite her Royal connections, in a Tatler interview last year, Sophie said: "We had very separate lives as kids: Claudia lived with her mum and she's nine years older than me." It seems as though Sophie shares a close connection with the Royal family, notably describing the King as a "very dear friend".

Claudia is often spotted at glamorous events with her husband, Kris Thykier. The 52-year-old television personality met Kris, who is a renowned film and TV producer known for his work on Kick-Ass, Tolkien, and Stardust, through friends and they married in 2000.

Kris's credits also include Idris Elba's Hijack and Netflix hit Fate: The Winx Saga. The pair have three children Jake, Matilda, and Arthur. Claudia tends to keep her children away from the spotlight but occasionally shares snaps of them online without showing their faces.

In a candid Red magazine article, Claudia once shared: "He's never once said to me, 'What's for dinner?' Instead, it's been a collaborative query of, 'What shall we have for dinner?', signalling a sharing of roles and mutual support when one partner is swamped with commitments."

Kris and Claudia reside in a stylish London Grade II-listed townhouse near Marble Arch with their children. At the time they brought their home before 2010, it's reported the swanky pad was brought for £3 million, according to Hello! magazine.

The TV star often gives fans a glimpse into her home life via her online channels. One room that regularly appears on her social media is adorned with a vast bookshelf brimming with books. Other sneak peeks show off a chic Scandinavian-inspired interior, featuring elegant wall panelling and a statement kitchen island.