A multi-generational cast made up of real-life royaltys has teamed up to create a groundbreaking commercial for Raffles Resorts, a luxury hotel chain.

The campaign, which was launched in advance of Raffles London opening at Whitehall’s Old War Office in 2022, sees a number of royals and blue-blooded ambassadors join forces in an unheard-of campaign.

Princess Maria Olympia of Greece and Denmark, 25, the Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur, 23, Prince Nikolai of Denmark, 22, Winston Churchill’s great-great nephew George Spencer-Churchill, 29, Archduchess of Austria and Princess of Hungary and Bohemia Anna Gabriele von Habsburg, 80, and her daughter Catharina von Habsburg, 49, are all seen in an imagined day at Raffles Singapore.

The whimsical two-minute video, entitled Hotel Royalty Since 1887, was filmed by director Peter Greenaway on location and takes a look at the brand’s iconic royal history in a rarely-seen gathering of royal faces.

A cast of real life royals have joined forces in a ground-breaking commercial for luxury hotel chain Raffles Resorts. Left to right: : Marquess of Blandford, Princess of Hungary, Maharaja of Jaipur, Princess Maria Olympia of Greece, Prince Nikolai of Denmark, Archduchess of Austria

A cast of real-life royals joined forces to create a groundbreaking commercial for Raffles Resorts, a luxury hotel chain. Left to right: : Marquess of Blandford, Princess of Hungary, Maharaja of Jaipur, Princess Maria Olympia of Greece, Prince Nikolai of Denmark, Archduchess of Austria

The video sees the grand entrance of the plush Raffles hotel in Singapore, as flowers arrive by bicycle before the video cuts to the breakfast menu – which is being ironed – and George Spencer-Churchill having a bloom attached to his label as he enjoys a coffee with his paper.

Between flashbacks to 19th-century scenes of royal bashes in the hotel, the scene cuts back to Princess Maria Olympia, who is seen posing with a dog, and a rebellious bird in a grand drawing area.

Meanwhile  Prince Nikolai of Denmark holds a pelican as he works on a piece of art on the stunning terrace encased in tropical flowers, before getting into the shower – fully clothed – in a marble bathroom complete with a revolving bouquet of flowers.

In between flashbacks to 19th century real life scenes of royal bashes at the hotel, the scene cuts to Princess Maria Olympia of Greece, who is posing with a dog and a rebellious parrot in a grand drawing room

Between flashbacks to 19th-century scenes of royal bashes in the hotel, the scene cuts back to Princess Maria Olympia, Greece, who poses with a dog, and a rebellious bird in a grand drawing area

The video sees George Spencer-Churchill having a bloom attached to his label as he enjoys a coffee with his paper

George Spencer-Churchill is seen enjoying a cup of coffee with his paper while wearing a bloom on his label.

Elsewhere Archduchess of Austria and Princess of Hungary and Bohemia Anna Catharina von Habsburg rewrites Marie Antoinette’s final letter at the stunning Writer’s Bar at Raffles Singapore, where Rudyard Kipling penned The Jungle Book. 

Anna’s mother Gabriele is the Archduchess and Princess of Hungary and Bohemia. She can be seen lying on the daybed by the pool with Nikolai, where they tell stories about their past.

The Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh, Jaipur’s Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh, makes an appearance on a horse and carries his polo mallet. He poses for the camera in front of his thoroughbred in the gallery. The video also shows the hotel’s history with polo.

The  video’s grand finale ends with the six blue-blooded descendents dripping in diamonds as they enjoy a plush royal-red banquet in the spectacular hotel – complete with peacock and flashes of the glorious hotel and scenes of its history.

Archduchess of Austria and Princess of Hungary and Bohemia Anna Catharina von Habsburg rewrites Marie Antoinette's final letter at the stunning Writer’s Bar at Raffles Singapore (left). Centre: George Spencer Churchill, right Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur

Archduchess of Austria and Princess of Hungary and Bohemia Anna Catharina von Habsburg rewrites Marie Antoinette’s final letter at the stunning Writer’s Bar at Raffles Singapore (left). Centre: George Spencer Churchill, right Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur

Forbes spoke out about George Spencer Churchill, a distant relative of Princess Diana. He said that he was touched and honored to link the brand’s new landmark, which will open next year in London’s Old War Office building, Whitehall. This building was once the headquarters of my great-uncle during World War II. Raffles will be welcomed to London, and I am beyond excited. 

Princess Maria Olympia reaffirmed her ambassador role: “Raffles has been a symbol of so much history as well as sophistication, and the brand… has hosted so many notable moments with fashionable icon through the ages.” 

And Prince Nikolai, who has modelled for the likes of Burberry, added:’I love travelling in Southeast Asia – I have roots there. I love the culture and the people are so friendly. I have traveled to Hong Kong several times over the years. This is where my mother was raised.

The Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur makes an appearance on a horse, toting his polo mallet as he poses on his thoroughbred in the art gallery - while the video cuts back to the hotel's history of polo playing

The Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh from Jaipur makes a came on a horse while he poses for the camera in the art gallery. While the video cuts back on the hotel’s history with polo,

Raffles states: “Welcome to Raffles, for our social season full of wonder and enchantment, by appointment with six illustrious Ambassadors.

“In the spirit adventure, we invited them into an imaginary day in their beloved Raffles’ lives, as cleverly conjured by Peter Greenaway, CBE, filmmaker extraordinaire.

‘Celebrating our shared love of heritage and Raffles’ role as the birthplace of stories and legends – past, present and future.’

Raffles Singapore: Its history 

Raffles Singapore was named in honour of Sir Stamford Raffles. He colonized Singapore 200-years ago and has a rich and colorful history.

It was built in 1887 with the fatal combination of elegance and style.

British colonials of upper class fought to stay in their rooms, eat in the restaurant, and tour the exotic palm-lined gardens.

Past guests include Rudyard Kipling and Somerset Maugham, while Hermann Hesse was the first guest to stay for a month in 1931. This was after completing Private Lives.

Glamorous guests include Ava Gardner, Elizabeth Taylor, and, more recently Johnny Depp and The Duke and Duchess Of Cambridge. 

It opened on December 1, 1887 and had only 10 rooms. The building was bungalow-style and overlooked the beach and South China Sea.

The Armenian Sarkies brother, Tigran, Aviet, Arshak, leased 1 Beach Road from its wealthy Arab owner to make it a beachfront hotel. In 1890, a pair were added of two-storey wings that housed 22 new suites.

The hotelier family enlisted the help of R. A. J Bidwell from the architecture firm Swan & Maclaren to build the main building in 1899.

With names like Somerset Maugham, Noel Coward, Rudyard Kipling, Joseph Conrad and Charlie Chaplin checking in over the following decades Raffles’ reputation grew.

The most famous story, however, is from 1902 when a Tiger allegedly invaded the hotel’s billiards room.

A man was dispatched to shoot the poor animal – thought to have escaped from a local circus – and life continued as usual.

Thousands of tourists make the spiritual pilgrimage to the Singapore Sling’s home and order one from the infamous 1920s themed Long Bar, still there today. 

However the glamour doesn’t come cheap, and the 115 suites are not cheap start at an eye-watering £520 a night.