A celebrated actress has shared a humorous and candid story about the first time she met the now-monarch nearly three decades ago, an encounter that was almost derailed by a bold fashion choice.
The actress, then just 20 years old, was attending the royal premiere of a major period drama. For the event, she selected a striking black lace ensemble that was more revealing than she had initially considered for such a formal occasion.
“It truly hadn’t dawned on me that we would actually be presented,” she recently explained during a television appearance. “I’d completely forgotten about the rather transparent nature of the outfit.”
Her recollection of the moment is filled with comic panic. As the royal figure approached her on the red carpet, the reality of her attire hit her. “I thought, ‘This is a problem!’” she laughed. “Thankfully, I was wearing a coat. Someone nearby urgently said, ‘Your coat!’ and I quickly wrapped it around myself just in time to offer a proper greeting.”
The actress has since met the king on several other occasions, including at a high-profile awards ceremony earlier this year alongside another legendary performer. That later meeting came with its own set of royal anxieties, specifically around protocol.
She described a whispered debate with her fellow award recipient as they prepared to be received. “We were walking over and she asked, ‘Do you think we need to curtsy?’ I was certain we did,” the actress recalled.
This led to a flustered discussion about the specifics of the gesture. “Is it a deep one? A slight one? We had no idea of the correct form and there was a mild panic,” she said. Embracing her role, the actress decided to lead the way. “I usually volunteer to go first in these situations. Leadership is important, and if someone’s going to get it wrong, it might as well be me. I don’t mind.”
