Big Suze from ‘Peep Show’ shocks lying in state viewers by appearing in royal family vigil

Peep Show's Big Suze was known for being much posher than main characters Jez and Mark, but it seems many fans of the sitcom had no idea just how true to life actor Sophie Winkleman's casting was - until they spotted her in the royal vigil at the Queen's lying in state.

Winkleman appeared in various series of the comedy as Jez's (Robert Webb) upper class love interest, starring alongside David Mitchell, Olivia Colman, Paterson Joseph and Isy Suttie.

Read more: David Beckham explains why he felt compelled to queue 12 hours for Queen's lying in state

However, her character's privileged background is not far off the truth, as in real life she is married to Lord Frederick Windsor, the son of the Queen's cousin Prince Michael of Kent, and her title is Lady Frederick Windsor.

Although her royal connections are well known to many, there were still plenty of people astonished to see "Big Suze" as part of the royal group standing in vigil in Westminster Hall where the Queen is lying in state.

She stood alongside members of her family, including her father-in-law Prince Michael of Kent, as they paid their respects ahead of the Queen's funeral on Monday.

Read more: How to watch the Queen's funeral on TV

Other royals in attendance at the vigil included King Charles III, Princess Anne, Prince Edward and Prince Andrew as they watched over the lying in state which has drawn crowds of mourners waiting more than 12 hours for the chance to file through Westminster Hall.

The lying in state and royal village was aired on BBC One, where some viewers were shocked to see Winkleman - who is also the half-sister of Strictly Come Dancing host Claudia Winkleman.

One person tweeted: "I am genuinely finding this all moving, but when watching some of the vigil, I couldn’t help but think… is that Big Suze from Peep Show??? And I believe it is!"

Another person wrote: "Blows my mind that Big Suze from Peep Show is in The Royal Family."

Someone else added: "Surely a perfect moment for Jeremy, having queued for 12 hours, to shout out how much he's in love with Big Suze."

Another surprised viewer commented: "Trying to come to terms with #BigSuze being a royal. Mental."

Journalist and author Caitlin Moran also commented: "Just watched Prince Charles stand vigil over his dead mother whilst Big Suze from Peep Show looked on. There's no point in even saying "This country is nuts" any more."

The Queen's lying in state has also seen other famous faces attend, although they were as part of the queue of general mourners rather than appearing alongside Winkleman.

On Friday, former England football captain David Beckham waited around 12 hours in the queue to pay his respects, while Good Morning Britain's Susanna Reid said she had waited seven hours the day before, calling it "worth every minute".

Watch: David Beckham turned down invitation to skip the queue at the Queen's vigil