Love Island stars who have secret connections the the royal family

It has not been unheard of for the stars of Love Island to have known celebrities before they step foot inside the villa.

But some of the show’s contestants have even grander connections and have had links to members of the royal family.

Whether it’s one former contestant dating a former senior member of the firm, or another shocking his fellow Islanders when he told them he was once an actual prince, MailOnline takes a look at the former villa residents with regal connections.

Camilla Thurlow

Camilla Thurlow, 33, entered the Love Island villa on day one of the third series of the show in 2017 and finished as runner-up with her now-husband Jamie Jewitt, 32.

While the couple – who share daughters Nell, two, and Nora, eight months – got married in September of 2021, she famously dated Prince Harry before she took part in the ITV2 show and met Jamie.

Despite insisting a ‘lady never tells’ during a game of truth and dare on the programme, Camilla later spoke out to say she was happy her fleeting romance with the royal, 38, didn’t work out.

Bomb disposal expert Camilla previously told The Sun: ‘I didn’t want my past relationships in the spotlight to upset having a future with someone. I am very happy with Jamie right now.

‘It is nice that something that has happened in the past is in the past – I’ve had an opportunity to show people the person I am.’  

Upon learning of her former flame, former Calvin Klein model Jamie insisted he wasn’t surprised Camilla had turned the head of the Duke of Sussex.

‘As much as Prince Harry is an impressive human being, I am not going to be intimidated by him,’ he weighed in. ‘I wasn’t at all shocked to hear she dated Prince Harry – Camilla is a very classy lady. It is her past and everyone has a past.’

Teddy Soars

During his appearance on the 2021 series of Love Island, Teddy Soars declared that he was a royal himself.

Regal: During his appearance on the 2021 series of Love Island, Teddy Soars declared that he was a royal himself

In an episode of Unseen Bits, he was seen telling his fellow Islanders he was once a prince of Nigeria’s Delta State before the death of his grandfather meant the title was removed.

While his co-stars were shocked, he didn’t grow up experiencing a regal lifestyle and he no longer has any connections to the royal family in Nigeria. 

He said: ‘I’m going to say something so shocking, I’m actually a Prince of one of them.’

Explaining himself further, Teddy continued: ‘It’s like a village, it’s within the Delta State village. So, my grandad who has obviously passed away, so I’m actually no longer a prince, I was a prince, but yeah…’

‘Stop it!’ his partner Faye replied after hearing what Teddy had said.

Commenting on it later in the Beach Hut, she said: ‘Teddy was once a prince! Are you joking? I mean I’ve definitely got to stop with burping now, I might have to just stop and lay off the swearing so much but I think I’ve got this y’know’

Back with the group, she joked: ‘Hang on, I just need to go and grab my tiara guys!’ 

Split? The couple sparked speculation they’d split last month after a year-and-a-half of dating but Teddy appeared to pour hot water on any rumours last week 

Faye was one of the original girls on the 2021 Love Island show, and she first coupled up with Brad McClelland.  

Later on in the series, she went on to couple up with Liam Reardon. However, Teddy soon after walked in to shake things up in the villa.

Faye and Teddy then ended up together, making the perfect match. However, their relationship was tested when it was time for Casa Amor, and they faced some struggles along the way.

The couple still came out of the show strong, leaving the villa as boyfriend and girlfriend.

However, the couple sparked speculation they’d split last month after a year-and-a-half of dating.

Last month, the couple was reportedly trying to rebuild their rocky relationship by holding crisis talks.

An insider has claimed: ‘Things haven’t been working between Teddy and Faye for a while now,’ our source said.

‘The tension bubbled over a couple of weeks ago and they’ve been spending some time apart trying to figure out what they want.

‘Faye is fighting to save their relationship and hopes they’ll be able to get back on track.’

However, Teddy appeared to go some way to pouring hot water on rumours last week, writing on Instagram: ‘Everything you have been reading in the press is false. I have had nothing but love and respect for Faye since we first met.’

AJ Bunker

Family affair: AJ Bunker, who appeared on the 2021 series, is the sister of Lance Bombardier Tom Bunker who was part of Prince Phillip’s funeral with King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery

AJ Bunker entered the Love Island villa on day 17 of series seven in 2021 and was dumped shortly after her arrival on day 23.

The 30-year-old has a slightly less direct connection with the royal family herself, as it’s her brother Tom Bunker who was part of Prince Phillip’s funeral in April 2021.

As a Lance Bombardier in the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, Tom was one of the King’s Troop Royal Artillery members who fired the processional minute gun at the late Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral.

After the funeral, Tom’s girlfriend wrote on Facebook: ‘So proud of all the work you’ve put in to make HRH Philip’s send off beautiful and respectful.

‘What an amazing thing you have done, so proud.’

Aaron Francis

Rubbing shouders: As a host of luxury parties and events before he went into the villa, Aaron, 26, worked at the weddings of both Princess Eugenie, in 2018, and Princess Beatrice, in 2021

As a host of luxury parties and events before he went into the villa, Aaron, 26, worked at the weddings of both Princess Eugenie, in 2018, and Princess Beatrice, in 2021.

Before entering the villa for series seven in 2021, Aaron said of the nuptials: ‘Yeah, Eugenie and Beatrice’s over the summer. I hosted and chatted. It was nice and intimate.

‘Everyone’s chill. In my job you meet a lot of famous people… unless you’re Beyonce, I’m not really interested.’

However, after being around the many royals at Princess Eugenie’s and Princess Beatrice’s weddings, Aaron vowed not to give too much away, saying his job ‘comes with responsibility.

LOVE ISLAND 2023: MEET THE CONTESTANTS

Tanya Manhenga 

Name: Tanya Manhenga

Age: 22

Location: Liverpool

Occupation: Student and model

Something not many people know about her: ‘I have Vitiligo, which is a skin pigmentation, you may not even notice it.’

‘It’s on my lip and I have a stripe on my hair. Not many people know that but I think it’s quite cute.’

‘I don’t care about covering it up all the time, I think it’s a vibe.’

Lana Jenkins 

Name: Lana Jenkins

Age: 25

Location: Luton

Occupation: Makeup artist

Something not many people know about her: ‘In my work as a makeup artist I’ve worked with lots of celebrities.

‘Also, when I was 6-years-old I used to live in Spain and I was in an episode of Benidorm as an extra.’

Tanyel Revan

Name: Tanyel Revan

Age: 26

Location: North London

Occupation: Hair stylist

Something not many people know about her: ‘My celebrity crush is Channing Tatum – I don’t like pretty boys, they give me the ‘ick’ because they always have a crap personality.’

‘Channing Tatum is handsome but not too pretty. He’s manly and he can dance.’

‘If a man can dance I’m in love with him straight away.’

Olivia Hawkins

Name: Olivia Hawkins

Age: 27

 Location: Brighton

Occupation: Ring girl and actress

Something not many people know about her: ‘I did a film with Jason Statham and had a nice 10-minute convo about life.’

‘I’ve been a ring girl for KSI, I played a waitress in James Bond with Daniel Craig and I’ve also been a body double for Michelle Keegan and Emma Watson.’

Tom Clare

Name: Tom Clare

 Age: 23

Location: Barnsley

Occupation: Semi-Pro Footballer

Something not many people know about him: I’m a High School Musical fan

Ellie Spence

Name: Ellie Spence

Age: 25

Location: Norwich

Occupation: Business Development Executive at a law firm

Something not many people know about her: “When I was drunk I climbed over the gates of my friend’s house, fell and almost lost my leg.”

Samie Elishi

Name: Samie Elishi

Age: 22

Location: London 

Occupation: Senior Estate Agent Coordinator

Something not many people know about her: ‘I’m a really honest person and I have no filter. I won’t take rubbish from anyone, especially when it comes to guys!’

Kai Fagan 

 Name: Kai Fagan

Age: 24

Location: Manchester

Occupation: Science and PE teacher

Something not many people know about him: ‘I’m a Jamaican citizen. Because of that I played rugby 7s for Jamaica.’

‘I play semi-professional rugby now for Burnage RFC.’

‘I’ve technically got three different degrees and went to three different unis.’

Ron Hall

Name: Ron Hall

Age: 25

Location: Essex

Occupation: Financial advisor 

Something not many people know about him: ‘On meeting me, you’d never know I am blind in one eye.’

‘It was the result of a football injury when I was 8. I’ve got two different coloured eyes, one blue and one green.’

Will Young

 Name: Will Young

Age: 23

Location: Buckinghamshire

Occupation: Farmer

Something not many people know about him: ‘Every night I light a candle and meditate for 20-25 minutes.’

‘A girl I was seeing told me to meditate, I tried it and loved it. I stopped seeing her and carried on meditating!

‘It’s a nice way to self reflect.’ 

Shaq Muhammad

Name: Shaq Muhammad

Age: 24

 Location: London

Occupation: Airport security officer

Something not many people know about him: ‘I’m a very emotional person. It can be a blessing and a curse.’  

‘Every time I watch Dear John I cry. 

That’s my favourite film. Any time I’m with someone and they say, ‘Let’s watch a romantic film’, I’m like, ‘How about Dear John, how does that sound?’

Jessie Wynter

Name: Jessie Wynter

Age: 26

Location: Sydney

Occupation: Personal Trainer

Something you may not know about her: She was on series two of Love Island Australia

Jordan Odofin

Name: Jordon Odofin

Age: 28

Location: London 

Occupation: Senior HR Advisor 

Something not many people know about him: ‘I don’t have a twin but everyone says me and one of my brothers look identical’ 

Casey O’Gorman

Name: Casey O’Gorman

Age: 26

Location: Tring 

Occupation: Recruitment Consultant 

Something not many people know about her: ‘I’m really squeamish. I once cut my hand and passed out’