Ben Smith isn’t your typical royalist (Image: Getty) This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
It is truly refreshing to meet a young person whose genuine passion for the Royal Family stands out as a rare spark of tradition in an endlessly modern world. When apathy regularly blights the monarchy during times of controversy and criticism, listening to someone like Ben Smith is entirely uplifting.
Mr Smith, 28, is one of the new stars on the BBC’s new series of Interior Design Masters, which is hosted by Alan Carr and has interior design guru Michelle Ogundehin at the helm. While the talent among this year’s line-up is as incredible as always, what sets him apart is his passion for the Royal Family, history and a love of all things Victorian.
With his nose ring and tattoos up his arms and on his neck, Mr Smith may not be the image of your stereotypical royal fan, but they have served as the ultimate inspiration for him and his work.
READ MORE: King Charles’s mission to save the Special Relationship is ‘most difficult’ yet
READ MORE: Prince William returns to RAF Valley for major celebration
Interior Design Masters star Ben Smith is not your typical royalist (Image: BBC)
“People are always a bit confused about why someone who looks like me loves the royals,” Mr Smith laughs as he speaks to the Daily Express, “But it’s just been something my whole family has been into as well.”
After the first episode of the new series aired last Tuesday, the contestants were tasked with taking a beach hut and designing it in their signature style. Given his love of all things Victorian and tradition, Mr Smith’s beach hut was elegantly transformed into the ultimate history-lovers’ paradise and promptly won him the stand-out space for the episode.
“The royals have always influenced my style,” he says. “I love the grandeur of palaces, the beauty in all the details they use to decorate, it’s just beautiful.”
He adds: “The Royal Family is just so fun to me, and when you say the Royal Family, even though there are many around the world, everyone always thinks of ours because we have the best royals (apart from events with Andrew). I just think it’s something as a British person, I am very proud of.”
Ben Smith won standout space in the first stage of the competition (Image: bensmithinteriors/Instagram)
Ben is a passionate royalist (Image: Getty)
Interior Design Masters has returned for another series (Image: BBC)
Given that we live in times where the Royal Family’s popularity is often a subject of discussion after the departures of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the arrest and subsequent investigation of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, hearing about royal fans among the younger generation is heartening for many.
A recent YouGov survey from this month showed that younger Britons generally have a less positive view of the Firm, for example, King Charles is liked by only 37% of 18-24 year olds but 80% of the over-65s. Meanwhile, only 19% of over-65s have a positive view of Prince Harry, compared to 35% of 18-24-year-olds, and just 10% of the oldest Britons feel favourably towards Meghan, compared to 31% of the younger generation.
Despite these figures, Mr Smith is unwavering in his support: “We have entered a new era of royals with Charles. He is the king who is breaching the old world and the new world! He is bringing the Royal Family into the 21st century, and setting up perfectly for the Prince and Princess of Wales for when they take the throne.”
But who is his favourite royal? “It’s hard to top Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Victoria, as they have shown so much in their reigns, but with this new family, I believe we have more great things to come from them!”
Interior Design Masters airs on the BBC on Tuesday nights at 8pm.