Home / Exclusives

Princess Panto

Inside the long tradition of pantomimes in the U.K. — get details.

pantomimes
Source: MEGA

There is a long tradition of pantomimes in the U.K., the slapstick comedy shows where the cast dress up and the audience joins in with noisy interludes.

Donny Osmond will be the latest big name from the U.S. to enjoy this unique showbiz genre when he plays the Wizard in Pantoland at the London Palladium this Christmas.

And the Queen herself starred in wartime pantos at Windsor Castle with her younger sister, Princess Margaret, starting when they were aged 16 and 12.

In December 1941, while sheltering from the Blitz, the Princesses staged the first of four fairy-tale plays to raise money for troops.

All proceeds went to the Royal Household Wool Fund, which supplied knitting wool to make bedding for soldiers.

Along with local schoolchildren the royals performed in Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Aladdin and Old Mother Red Riding Boots.

CROWN PRINCESS MARY OF DENMARK LOOKS PRETTY IN PINK AT THE 2021 ELITEFORSK AWARDS — SEE PHOTOS

And in the audience for the 1943 version of Aladdin was a young Greek sailor fighting for the allies in the British Navy, one Prince Philip!

Clearly, he was taken by his stunning cousin, and her shapely legs on display.

Just four years later they were married, and the rest as they say is history.

QUEEN LETIZIA OF SPAIN LOOKS REGAL IN LIGHT BLUE DRESS WHILE ATTENDING EVENT ALONGSIDE HUSBAND KING FELIPE VI OF SPAIN — PHOTOS

Now six surviving costumes worn by the Queen and Margaret, including the gold brocade and turquoise jacket Elizabeth wore to play Aladdin, are to go on display at Windsor Castle between November 25 and January 31 next year.

With the death of Prince Philip at Windsor Castle earlier this year, and the realization that the Queen will not be with us forever, the exhibition is yet another reminder of their remarkable lives spanning so many decades.

GET BREAKING ROYAL NEWS
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

More Stories

EXCLUSIVE ANALYSIS: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's return to Nottingham offers them a chance to move forward with renewed confidence.
By Joshua Rom · 2 DAYS AGO
EXCLUSIVE ANALYSIS: Prince William's public interactions brought a personal dimension to his Earthshot campaign.
By Lydia Alty · 3 DAYS AGO
EXCLUSIVE ANALYSIS: A simple train journey raises a bigger question about the Wales children's upbringing.
By Lydia Alty · 4 DAYS AGO
EXCLUSIVE ANALYSIS: Her Majesty’s latest reflections on the power of books reveal how her Reading Room initiative has grown into an international project championing literacy, wellbeing and human connection.
By Lydia Alty · 6 DAYS AGO
EXCLUSIVE ANALYSIS: Our royal experts weigh in on King Charles’ response to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s latest legal setback and what it could mean for the royal family.
By Mary Anthony · 7 DAYS AGO
EXCLUSIVE ANALYSIS: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's search warrants have been quashed, but the investigation remains ongoing.
By Lydia Alty · 7 DAYS AGO
EXCLUSIVE ANALYSIS: Five decades after King Charles founded The Prince's Trust - now known officially as the King's Trust - his project is still changing young lives.
By Lydia Alty · OCT 7, 2026
EXCLUSIVE: The historian previously vowed never to 'profit' off his sister's death, now one of Diana's former friends has spoken out
By Joshua Rom · OCT 6, 2026
EXCLUSIVE: An eminent royal biographer claimed Spencer’s claims may have angered Prince William and deeply hurt the King.
By Lydia Alty · OCT 6, 2026
EXCLUSIVE ANALYSIS: Andrew is challenging police search warrants as the King maintains his distance from the legal process.
By Lydia Alty · OCT 5, 2026