West End Star Recalls 'Cheeky' Moment With King Charles — and It's Pure Charm
King Charles once used humor to diffuse an embarrassing situation at the Royal Variety Show.
The monarchy has long depended on the glitter and mystique it provided the people through elaborate ceremonies, pomp, and fancy outfits. But it seems that the royal family’s hold on public memory extends beyond the sense of wonder, and has seeped even into the most mundane or embarrassing moments. And that was evident after West End star Vanessa Williams recently opened up about a 'cheeky' moment that she had with King Charles once at the Royal Variety Show.
Williams was at Wimbledon this week, where she told Hello! “When I did the Royal Variety Show, I did a quick magic trick with Penn and Teller, and I had to open up a padlock, and I had a little trouble getting it open, so he mentioned: 'You had a little trouble getting that lock open, ' but that was the only cheeky thing that was said,” she said. The King, known for using his humor to put people at ease, seemed to effortlessly use his charm to defuse the situation.
And while that may have been a lone incident when Charles met Williams, her adoration for the royal family goes back to her teenage years. She recalled waking up at dawn to see the monarch’s wedding to Princess Diana in 1981. The Ugly Betty star said, “I watched Diana's wedding to King Charles - I was in high school at the time - we all got up at four in the morning to watch it live, so the fact that I got to follow in her footsteps, shake royalty's hands, is a dream come true.” Williams mentioned that she once again saw the sovereign at a recent royal event, adding, “I was at Royal Ascot last week, it was just incredible, I saw the King arrive.”
The American actress and singer is “open” to moving to the UK, and when asked where in London she would like for her home to be, she replied, “Marylebone is adorable, Mayfair, and Kensington are incredible.” Well, if Williams ever chooses a house in any of these locations, she would find herself living very close to royal neighborhoods. At the moment, she is playing Miranda Priestly, an iconic role made immortal by Meryl Streep, in the West End production of The Devil Wears Prada.
Meanwhile, Charles has his hands full, with not only royal duties but also a very special personal reason. He is expected to finally reunite with his younger son, Prince Harry, daughter-in-law, Meghan Markle, and his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, when they arrive in the UK in July. The King hasn’t met his two grandkids in four years and will be waiting to spoil them with goodies and plushies. The doting grandfather might also indulge in a little gardening and share his love for music and art with them.
Charles has seemingly tried to resolve any issues Harry had in bringing his family to the UK, with their security being a primary concern. The King has reportedly offered protection to the family, along with a royal residence to stay at. The Duke of Sussex is also expected to take his kids to see Princess Diana’s grave at Althorp.
