Queen Camilla gets behind the camera on set of ITV police drama Trigger Point

By Victoria Ward.

The Queen took charge of a clapperboard as she helped out with the filming of Trigger Point, the ITV police drama, during a visit to its set in London.

Her Majesty also donned headphones to watch a scene being shot and revealed she was a fan of the show, having watched part of its first series.

Jed Mercurio, the programme’s executive producer, showed her how to use the clapperboard to mark the start of a new scene – telling her to point it at the camera while being careful not to get her fingers trapped.

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She then did the honours, adding: “Trigger Point take one.”

The Queen appeared fascinated by the way the show was put together, with special effects and “bangs” added later, and expressed surprise at the 30lb weight of the bomb disposal suit worn by actress Vicky McClure, who plays explosives officer Lana Washington.

Later, Her Majesty attended a reception to celebrate ITV’s 70th anniversary, where she spoke with stars including Lorraine Kelly, Mary Nightingale, Ellie Simmonds and Brenda Blethyn.

After cutting a cake, the Queen declared herself the network’s “greatest fan”.

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She added: “I’d like to say a very very happy 70th birthday to all of you. I’m a bit older and I do remember ITV starting on those very old televisions in those days … I do remember the excitement of suddenly having another channel.

“To watch how you’ve gone from there, how much you’ve appealed to the nation is absolutely brilliant.”

Earlier, the Queen was met on the set, at Brent Cross Civic Centre, by Dame Carolyn McCall, ITV’s chief executive, and Mr Mercurio.

She was then introduced to members of the show’s team, including actor Nabil Elouahabi, who plays Hassan Rahim in Trigger Point, and McClure, who was in costume ready to film a scene.

The Queen told her: “Lovely to meet you. You’re nice and warm in your explosives officer kit. Have you enjoyed doing it?”

McClure then asked the Queen if she liked the series, to which she replied: “I have watched it … I’m just getting through the first [series] so I’ve got a bit more … But no, I think it’s really good.”

After being told they were filming the third series, Her Majesty replied: “Third! Very popular.”

Meanwhile, Paul Biddiss, a military adviser to the programme, showed the Queen some of the props used, including McClure’s bomb suit.

“This is the lighter one,” he said, adding that one of them was 70lb.

“Lighter? Blimey!” the Queen replied.

McClure said the bomb suits were difficult to walk in, adding that she felt “a bit like Mr Soft” when wearing the heavier ones. The Queen jokingly replied: “Like a robot.”

The actress added: “They are comfortable when you’re not moving. When I lie on the floor it’s quite nice.”

The Queen asked: “What happens when you get up?” “I struggle,” McClure said as she laughed.

Her Majesty said she would “watch that with interest,” adding: “At least you get a sense of what these heroes do.”

Gesturing to Mr Biddiss, a Parachute Regiment veteran, she added: “Because they are the real heroes. They do an incredible job.”

The Queen then took a seat in a production tent and was given some headphones to watch a scene as it was filmed.

Mr Mercurio told her that special effects depicting a balcony being blown up would be added afterwards. “You’ll have to use your imagination, ma’am,” he said.

“So you’re not going to have the actual explosion?” the Queen asked.

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“If we do, it’s nothing to do with us,” he joked.

Her Majesty watched a monitor as McClure was filmed arriving in a van before sprinting towards a building. When a member of the production crew shouted “Bang!” McClure dropped to the ground.

“I was all ready for the bang,” the Queen told Mark Robinson, a visual effects supervisor. “She’s [McClure] not only got that appallingly heavy suit on, she’s got a backpack as well.”

The Queen was told that other parts of the scene would be filmed next week in Osterley, west London. “It’s so clever,” she said. “Like a sort of jigsaw puzzle.”

© Telegraph Media Group Limited 2025

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