Liz Hurley is to star as a queen in new TV show The Royals.

Liz Hurley, 48, has been signed up by the E! network to shoot a one-hour pilot show The Royals, with filming due to start in New York this week.

Liz Hurley is to star as a queen in new TV show The Royals

Her character, Queen Helena, has been described as a “couture-clad vixen dripping in diamonds”.

A production source said: “When the show was first mooted, there was no one else we even considered for the role except Elizabeth.

“She is so regal and has such bearing.

“She’s the quintessential English lady.

“She has a certain grandeur and dignity and sounds more royal than the royals.”