Channel Nine has made the shock decision to cut Queen Camilla’s surprise appearance from Married At First Sight 2025 – despite the jaw-dropping moment sending the set into an unexpected frenzy.
Daily Mail Australia can reveal that the network, along with MAFS producers, have scrubbed the footage entirely from the upcoming season after the royal visit occurred just metres from where the show was filming in Sydney last October.
Insiders say the last-minute edit came as a result of ‘creative redirection’ and a desire to keep the show’s focus firmly on the drama between the couples – not royalty.
‘It was an amazing moment – the whole cast ran to their balconies to catch a glimpse of Queen Camilla. But ultimately, the producers felt it didn’t serve the storyline,’ a well-placed production source told Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday.
‘There were conversations with higher-ups at Nine and it was agreed it might distract from the core focus of the show. So they wiped it.’
At the time, the 77-year-old royal made headlines when she was spotted waving to the public just outside One Global Resorts, the five-star hotel where the cast was staying during filming.
Cast members were left stunned as Camilla, dressed in a regal blue midi dress, arrived at Green Square, just a stone’s throw from the set.
Among those spotted watching from their balconies were once fan-favourites Jamie Marinos and Dave Hand.
Jamie, 28, was glowing with excitement as she pointed towards the royal procession, her signature blonde locks tucked under a chic cream headband.
Meanwhile, Dave – inked from head to toe – recorded the surreal moment on his phone, shirtless in shorts and a backwards cap.
Speaking to Yahoo Lifestyle, Jamie said it was definitely one of the wildest moments of her MAFS experience.
‘It was insane. It was on a dinner party day because we were getting ready and Dave wanted to have a shower, and I was like, “But the Queen is coming! Like, what are the chances?”‘ she recalled.
‘We found out she was coming because we had like, cops and stuff, everyone blocking off the street, and I was like, “This is f***ing nuts!” Imagine having front row seats to the Queen, like our balcony was literally facing her. It was crazy.’
Jamie also revealed that her husband Dave, shouted something at her from their balcony.
‘He said something and I was like, “You’re not going to embarrass us right now in front of the Queen”. It was giving boganic,’ she laughs. ‘Whatever was coming out of his mouth, I remember being like, “No! We’re classy now!”‘
‘They were like kids on Christmas morning – jaws dropped, phones out, gasping. It was chaos. But fun chaos,’ said another insider who witnessed the moment.
Also spotted enjoying the surprise spectacle were bride Jacqui Burfoot, in a dramatic magenta gown, and her groom Ryan Donnelly, both leaning over their hotel balcony to get a closer look.
But not everyone got to bask in the royal moment.
Grooms Ryan Donnelly and Paul Antoine were seen among the crowd outside, waiting eagerly for a glimpse of Camilla before producers rushed them back inside to get ready for that evening’s dramatic dinner party shoot.
‘They were devo. Ryan had just lined up the perfect selfie when producers called time. Back to work!’ laughed a crew member.
Cameras were rolling throughout the event, but despite multiple cast members filming and reacting to the Queen’s arrival, the footage will never see the light of day.
‘It was decided the royal appearance didn’t fit the tone or direction of the series,’ said a third source.
‘There’s also always a sensitivity around portraying the monarchy in entertainment formats – and Nine didn’t want to take any chances.’
Earlier in the day, grooms Paul Antoine and Ryan were spotted among the public crowd at Green Square, blending in as they eagerly awaited Camilla’s arrival.
Both were casually dressed, with Ryan sporting a relaxed red button-up shirt, black shorts, and Birkenstock sandals, while Paul kept it simple in grey joggers and a black muscle tank.
Unfortunately, their hopes of catching a royal wave were dashed when MAFS producers called them back inside to prepare for filming for an upcoming dinner party.
An insider said: ‘We were all sitting at the main table, enjoying the wedding, and then Jamie just walked over and said, “I slept with TJ.”‘
‘The entire room froze. It was like a grenade had gone off—nobody could believe what they were hearing,’ the source revealed.