The Christmas special of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing will take place at Buckingham Palace this year – with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall playing hostess.
The Queen’s London residence is to be the backdrop for part of the dancing show’s Christmas Day episode and it is Her Majesty’s daughter-in-law, Camilla, who will host the tea dance.
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwallis to host a christmas special tea dance for strictly come dancing (Stephen Lock / i-Images)
Described as ‘a festive feature’ the BBC announced today: “Hosted by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, our Strictly family and members of the local community will attend a Tea Dance highlighting the benefits of dance and exercise in the process of active ageing.
“There will also be a beautiful performance from the Strictly professional dancers.”
Judy Murray, Kimberley Walsh, Colin Jackson, Robbie Savage and Jeremy Vine – former contestants on the show – will be taking part in the royal special.
Strictly Come Dancing is heading to Buckingham Palace this Christmas. (BBC/Guy Levy)
The Duchess of Cornwall is a fan of the show and dancing, too; she has often been spotted on the dance floor at engagements where dance is being demonstrated.
She has long been an advocate to raise awareness of osteoporosis, which affected her mother and grandmother; exercise prevents the onset of the condition.
Buckingham Palace is an appropriate setting for such an event – the ballroom, built during Queen Victoria’s reign – was once the largest room in Europe. Today, it plays host to state banquets, investitures, and features in the summer opening.
The set up for a State Banquet in the Ballroom. (Royal Collection Trust/Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, 2015)
