The Hollywood star no one knew was a royal
It seems Sophie Winkleman is more recognisable for her roles on TV than for her life as a royal.
The Two and a Half Men star reveals no one in Hollywood knew she was a member of the British monarchy.
The actress married Lord Frederick Windsor, the son of Prince Michael, the Queen's first cousin, in 2009. The couple then relocated to Los Angeles, long before Prince Harry and fellow actress-turned-royal Meghan Markle.
RELATED: Royal family lookback: The wedding of Lord Frederick Windsor and Sophie Winkleman
Princess Anne, Lady Frederick Windsor and Prince Harry at Lady Gabriella Windsor's wedding. AP
It was there Winkleman landed a role starring alongside Asthon Kutcher in the popular TV series in 2011.
A passionate actress and activist, Winkleman kept her royal identity secret throughout her time in the US entertainment industry.
By opting not to use her husband's royal surname, Winkleman concealed her connection to the crown while starring as Kutcher's character's love interest in the ninth and 10th seasons of Two and a Half Men.
RELATED: Actress-turned-royal Sophie Winkleman says she was 'welcomed with open arms'
Winkleman had a prolific acting career in the UK before moving overseas. CBS
Winkleman tells Insider people in Hollywood "didn't know anything about" her royal life when they saw her maiden name on an audition call sheet.
"They didn't find anything out about me. They just knew me from my acting, which was quite important to me," she shares.
The English actress had already built a prolific career in the UK before relocating to Tinsel Town, with a number of roles in popular British TV Shows including Peep Show, White Teeth, Chasing Alice and Agatha Christie's Poirot.
Winkleman was even nominated for a Best Newcomer award by the BBC.
The actress studied at Cambridge University, where she played in a number of theatre shows, including the Edinburgh Festival and in Arthur Miller's acclaimed play The Crucible.
She also starred on the silver screen in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
It's for this reason she held onto her surname instead of taking the Windsor title, despite it being "rather elegant."
Winkleman and Lord Frederick moved back to London in 2013 to continue their royal patronage work, including her commitment to the School-Home Support charity, which aims to tackle issues affecting children's learning and development.
The couple are affectionately known as "Winky and Windy". PA Images via Getty Images
The couple, affectionately known as "Winky and Windy", became engaged on Valentine's Day in 2009 and married in September the same year at Hampton Court Palace.
Winkleman's parents reportedly wished to fund the nuptials, agreeing to contribute £40,000 (AUD $71,900), which led to some conflict between the bride and her family and her new in-laws.
Her mother-in-law Princess Michael of Kent stepped in to take charge of the wedding planning, which Winkleman later expressed gratitude for.
Sophie Winkleman as Big Suze in UK comedy series Peep Show. Channel 4
"It's a good job my future mother-in-law is very good at all that and I'm very grateful for her input," she told Tatler.
"We'd end up doing it in Starbucks with two people if it was left to me."
The couple have two daughters, Maud, seven, and Isabella, five.
Winkleman told Insider the Queen was "incredibly welcoming and kind."
"I've only had positive, caring, warmth from all of [the royals]."
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