Shirley Ballas on Kate and children’s visit to Strictly last year

Shirley Ballas has revealed what really happened when the Princess of Wales and her three children paid a visit to the Strictly Come Dancing set. 

Kate, 42, took George, Charlotte and Louis on a visit to Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire, where the BBC dancing show is filmed, at Halloween last year. 

The excited trio even got to sit in the judges’ seats and were given a sneak peak of the show. 

Head judge Shirley, 63, praised the young royals for their ‘beautiful’ behaviour during the ‘spectacular’ day. 

She even gave the children a treat – but said Prince Louis made a cheeky request for his. 

In an appearance on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Virgin Radio this morning, Shirley said: ‘[Last year] it was Kate with the three children and they were absolutely divine. 

‘Their behaviour was beautiful and it was Halloween week, so I gave them little crowns and the little boy, Louis, I gave him some sweets, but he wanted a crown, and they were just fabulous. The whole day was spectacular.

‘The thing was that, you know, people were all a little bit nervous, but they were so relaxed, and the children were running around and they got to sit in all the seats of the judges. 

‘It was fantastic. We were welcoming and they were very, very beautiful human beings.’

During the radio show, Shirley also shed light on a generous gesture from Queen Camilla, after she sent her a copy of her book, Murder on the Dancefloor. 

Shirley said she wasn’t expecting a reply from the busy royal, who is known to be a big Strictly fan. 

She continued: ‘When I wrote my book, Murder on the Dancefloor, I sent it to Camilla. I thought, ‘Oh, I’m not sure I’ll get a reply’. She wrote me the most beautiful letter back, handwritten and it’ll be framed and put on my wall.

‘I just thought she might enjoy a behind-the-scenes. [I] believe she’s got the most amazing sense of humour and I know she loves the show.’

Speaking about the more risque scenes in the book, she said: ‘I wouldn’t open it on an aeroplane if anybody else can read it, because there are some very saucy scenes.I’d like to know what Camilla thinks about those sexy saucy scenes.’

Louis’s sweet comment will come as no surprise – as the confident young royal once again showed off his hilarious personality at last weekend’s Trooping the Colour ceremony. 

Princess Charlotte had to tell her younger brother off twice, ordering him to stand up straight as the family gathered to watch the flypast at Buckingham Palace. 

The six-year-old Prince, known for stealing the limelight at large royal events, was stood on the platform in front of thousands of fans and well-wishers with his arms slightly scrunched ahead of the national anthem. 

His older sibling then said: ‘Louis put your hands down,’ according to lipreader Juliet Sullivan, before she tapped his shoulder to get his attention.

Louis then scrunched up his face before placing his hands down by his side and standing up straight to prepare for the national anthem.

Earlier in the day, the prince was once again told off by his sister as she ordered him to ‘stop’ his dancing, whilst standing at a window in the Horse Guards building, so they could watch King Charles inspecting the troops outside.

As Prince George, Charlotte, and Louis waited by the window with their mother Kate, the youngest royal started swaying his hips, much to the apparent chagrin of his older sister.

Charlotte, who has been seen issuing instructions to her brothers during previous royal events, appeared to tell her sibling to ‘stop dancing’.

However, the young prince appeared unmoved by the command, and continued with his dancing.

Meanwhile, their mother the Princess of Wales appeared to smile while watching the interaction between her children, before she regained her previous, more serious demeanour.

Ahead of her appearance, the Princess penned a moving personal message thanking the public for their support over her cancer diagnosis and revealing she was looking forward to attending the traditional ceremonial day.

Back in March, the Princess disclosed she was undergoing ‘preventative chemotherapy’ for an undisclosed form of the disease says her treatment is ongoing and will be for several months to come.