Among the nation’s favourite Christmas films are classics such as Home Alone, Love Actually, Miracle on 34th Street, Elf and A Christmas Carol – but it would seem that Queen Elizabeth’s favourite festive flick was far from traditional.

It was revealed by one of the lead actors himself that the monarch used to sit down every year with her grandchildren to watch the film. You may have assumed that the late Queen’s Christmas movie of choice would have been something incredibly traditional, but that couldn’t have been further from the truth. And while the monarch had an unconventional favourite, her grandson, Prince William, has a soft spot for a Christmas classic.

According to a very well-placed source, the late Queen’s favourite festive film was… Flash Gordon. And while the movie wouldn’t typically fall into the category of Christmas films that the nation return to year in, year out, the Prince of Wales’ choice is far more traditional.

The 1980s sci-fi adventure film which stars Sam Jones and Brian Blessed is about football player Flash and his friends who travel to the planet Mongo and find themselves fighting against Ming the Merciless to save Earth.

The Queen’s favourite was certainly an unconventional choice ( 
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The surprising revelation came directly from 88-year-old Brian Blessed who took on the role of Prince Vultan in the movie. Speaking a few years ago, Blessed said: “The Queen, it’s her favourite film, she watches it with her grandchildren every Christmas.”

He then added, impersonating the late monarch, saying: “You know, we watch Flash Gordon all the time, me and the grandchildren. And if you don’t mind, I’ve got the grandchildren here, would you mind saying ‘Gordon’s alive’?”

Unlike his grandmother, Prince William’s top Christmas movie is the 2003 hit Elf starring Will Ferrell.

During a Christmas interview with young children for the Royal Marsden Hospital radio station, William revealed: “I would have to say, probably Elf. It’s very funny and I keep watching it every Christmas and it still makes me laugh.”

Elsewhere in the interview, the Prince – who has been the President of The Royal Marsden since 2007 – was asked what his favourite Christmas song is.

Speaking to host Barry Alston, Prince William said: “For this particular chat with you Barry, I’m gonna say ‘Feliz Navidad’ is my favourite Christmas song because it’s a bit different. I could say Mariah Carey, who I love dearly as well. That’s a good one and obviously there are many others, but I think I’ll probably go with ‘Feliz Navidad.’ It’s a bit more jolly.”