Former TOWIE celebrity Pete Wicks expressed disappointment with his recent visit to Buckingham Palace. In a conversation with friend Sam Thompson on their Staying Relevant podcast, Wicks likened the centuries-old landmark to a Nando’s branch.

Wicks recounted changing into formal attire in a makeshift dressing area at the Dogs’ Trust, a charity he supports, before hurrying to the palace on a scorching day. However, upon entering the 775-room palace, he found the public areas to be less grand than anticipated.

His visit to the Palace’s restroom was a letdown for Wicks, who described the experience as similar to being in a nightclub restroom. He remarked that the public spaces of the Palace did not meet his expectations, comparing it to a common establishment like Nando’s.

Wicks dismissed the historical significance of the Palace, emphasizing that the event itself held more importance to him than the venue. He noted that the Palace felt like just a large house to him.

Meanwhile, Sam Thompson shared his own royal encounter, admitting to feeling overwhelmed and resorting to an awkward conversation with Queen Camilla about air purifiers and her purple dress. Despite his nerves, Thompson managed to refrain from physically holding the Queen back and concluded that she may have liked him.

Thompson reflected on the pressure to engage the Queen in a meaningful conversation, mentioning his attempt to discuss the weather and his recent purchase of an air purifier. Despite feeling awkward, he attempted to leave a positive impression by complimenting the Queen before she walked away.

Overall, Wicks and Thompson’s experiences at Buckingham Palace revealed contrasting reactions to the royal environment, with Wicks finding it underwhelming and Thompson navigating his nervousness during the encounter with Queen Camilla.