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Spandau Ballet icon Martin Kemp has disclosed his refusal to partake in a particular formality when Princess Kate visited his residence. Martin’s son Roman recounted the extraordinary invitation, revealing: “I had an email that came through (saying) would I help with her Shaping Us campaign that was to do with mental health and it was a great campaign, they’ve been doing it for a long time.”
After a Zoom call with the 43-year-old Princess of Wales to discuss the details, the moment arrived for the Princess of Wales to visit Roman at the Kemp household. Yet, as excitement mounted within the family, Martin stood firm against one specific request on the day: “My fondest memory of that day was when the Range Rovers are coming up the drive and the police guys that were with her came in and said to me and mum ‘Will you come and stand outside and wait for her and say hello?’.”
Voicing his objection, the Spandau Ballet legend made it clear he wouldn’t comply: “I said ‘argh no, I’m not doing that, it’s getting like Downton Abbey’.”
Preferring to treat the Princess as any other visitor, Martin remained indoors while his wife, Shirlie, welcomed her at their threshold before inviting her inside.
Following the future Queen’s entrance, the father-son duo expressed their awe at the surreal nature of the visit. They fondly remembered how Princess Kate respectfully removed her shoes upon entering and engaged in a relaxed conversation over tea and biscuits in the kitchen.
When he’s not appearing on his son Roman’s podcast, Martin is recognised as the bassist for the 80s sensation Spandau Ballet. At the peak of their popularity, the band had four albums reach the top 10 in the UK charts.
Soap enthusiasts will also recognise the 63-year-old from his stint on EastEnders, where he portrayed the character Steve Owen from 1998 until his departure four years later. But, possibly his most well-known role came when he appeared alongside his older brother, Gary when they starred as the notorious gangster duo Ronald and Reginald Kray.
