There’s lots to love about TLC’s new reality series Secret Princes, which combines a fun blending of themes from Undercover Boss, Secret Millionaire and Eddie Murphy’s Coming to America. The series follows four royals (of some sort) as they go undercover in the U.S. in search of “real” love. The five-episode series, Secret Princes, begins on TLC Friday, Sept. 21 and will air on Fridays at 10pmET/9pmCT.
The series features what TLC is describing as four international royals — U.K’s dashingly handsome and snarky Lord Robert Walters (age 29), Spain’s confident and cool Prince Francisco de Borbon (33), India’s lovably charming prince Salauddin Babi (32) and London’s sweet youngster Honorable Ludovic (Ludo) Watson (23) of Houghton Hall. The foursome believe the perfect girl exists for each of them, they just haven’t found her. Why is the biggest question.
Pictured from left to right: Spain’s Prince Francisco de Borbon, U.K.’s Honorable Ludovic Watson, India’s Salauddin Babi and U.K.’s Lord Robert Walters
These guys claim to have gobs of money, own umpteen homes, hold royal status and all the privileges that come with it, are doted on by servants and are hands-down pretty damn charming (some pretty nice to look at too, England’s Lord Robert Walters shirtless in particular!?!).
In the premiere episode, the four arrive in Atlanta and are shuttled to their new undercover bachelor pad, a less than palatial two-story that has four bedrooms, just not enough baths, which prove to be a grave and comical concern for one of the princes.
First to arrive is England’s Lord Robert Walters (Lord of the Manor of Fullwood with a prestigious bloodline that can be traced back to King Henry VIII) who’s somewhat of a celebrity in the U.K. for his TV appearances and as an underwear model appearing in various fashion/fitness magazine feature spreads. “I’m really excited to be somewhere where absolutely nobody has an idea who I am or what I do,” Walters shared. We’re predicting that’s going to change as he’s the sexiest, most aggressive and snarkiest of the group. Walters selects the perfectly suited undercover name of Tate Morgan (Morgan after the TV series Dexter).
Second to arrive is India’s Prince Salauddin (Balasinor Royal Family in Gujarat, India), a jovial, more conservative royal who has never carried his own luggage, washed his own clothes or shared a bathroom with anyone. It’s just something he doesn’t need to do in his 17-room palace. He’s by far the most sincere in seeking a potential suitor. “If I met a girl like Anne Hathaway in the U.S. I think I’d be on top of the world. It would be like having a long-standing dream be fulfilled,” Salauddin said. The prince selects a more American-friendly undercover name of Sal.
Then the young, modest Honorable Ludovic Watson from Yorkshire arrives. The 23-year-old explained that his parents were keen for him to carry on the family name. “My ideal American girl would probably be someone a bit like Jennifer Garner. She’s very good looking, quite tall, slender … American girls would suit me because they seem very outgoing and fun, and they also seem less high maintenance.” Oh, so naive, right?! He confirms when he announces that he’d like his undercover name to be Waldo. Are you kidding? Yeah, Lord Walters (a.k.a. Tate Morgan) agreed, calling it the “uncoolest name ever.”
Last to arrive was the more laid back Prince Francisco de Borbon of Spain (Royal House of Borbon and Hardenberg), who owns houses all over the world and is used to black tie dinners every night, yet proved to be the most casual of the group. Schooled in the U.S., Francisco had no issues going undercover — his English flawless and without a detectable accent. He takes the coolest undercover name of the group and goes by Cisco. As he surveyed his group of roommates, realized he got the last straw when it came to bedroom selection (no bathroom for him), he assessed rank. “I have the best title. I think it’s kind absurd to compete about that — doesn’t show much class. I have the best title and I’m the coolest guy in the house …[as for the bathroom, it’s] a battle of conquering land.”
Undercover the lords and princes go by Waldo, Tate Morgan, Sal and Cisco
The dynamics of the group make the series surprisingly funny and endearing — it’s hard not to root for the underdogs (Waldo and Sal) — royal lineage or not. Each week cameras follow them as they explore American culture, date, take on jobs and try to find the woman of their dreams.
As for the official credentials behind these gents, whether aristocracy or royalty, we went off the TLC bios; however, there are some questions surrounding who should be going by what title. Regardless of their titles, these privileged men fumbling with their new surroundings and have nots puts some fun in the Friday night lineup.