Televisionpoint.com Team
A list of programmes ordered by Queen Elizabeth II for her summer viewing at Balmoral Caslte in Scotland is topped by Life Isn't All Ha Ha Hee Hee,a BBC comedy drama written by Meera Syal and based on her book by the same name.

The royal stiff upper lip seems to be a thing of the past if the Queen of England's taste in television programmes is anything to go by. She has developed a passion for some typical British Asian The Kumar's at No. 42 style of humour.

A list of programmes ordered by Queen Elizabeth II for her summer viewing at Balmoral Caslte in Scotland is topped by Life Isn't All Ha Ha Hee Hee, a BBC comedy drama written by Meera Syal and based on her book by the same name. It stars Ayesha Dharkar, Laila Rouass and Sanjeev Bhaskar in leading roles and centres around three British Indian friends approaching middle age and dealing with the pressures of married life.

This particular selection alongside some crime and detective series suggests the Queen is taking a real interest in the multiethnic make-up of her realm. Syal has been a link for the Queen to Britain's Asians since 1998 when she was awarded an MBE. The 41-year-old writer, actor and filmmaker was a guest at the Queen's reception to honour high-achieving women last year. She also attended the service of prayer and dedication at Windsor Castle in April after the marriage of Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall.

She has established herself as the most prominent Asian performer in Britain and won acclaim as a creator of Goodness Gracious Me, one of Britain's first successful Asian comedies.

Robert Lacey, the Queen's biographer, said he was intrigued by her choice of the Syal drama. "In life the Queen takes a serious interest in how the country works and the chemistry of the country," he told the Sunday Times. "Watching television is actually the best way the Queen can get in touch with the country."

By tradition, broadcasters give members of the royal family recordings of their favourite programmes before they are available in the shops on DVD. The Queen is often said to be at her most relaxed during the annual trip to Balmoral and has a reputation as an attentive host. The move to the Highlands, which takes place next weekend, has been likened by some royal staff to the "progress" of a medieval court around the kingdom.

It includes a total of 45 members of the Queen's household, many of whom are billeted in cottages on the Balmoral estate. Horses from Windsor and gundogs from Sandringham are also transported north. It is understood the Queen uses television evenings at Balmoral to catch up on viewing of her own and to entertain guests.