Russell Crowe Recalls His Greeting For Princes William, Harry That Stunned Royal Aide
Russell Crowe ignored royal protocol when he met Princes William and Harry.
In a Twitter thread ahead of King Charles III’s coronation on Saturday, the “Gladiator” star recalled calling the royal siblings “mate.”
“I thought the equerry was going to pass out,” Crowe remembered.
Why? Because “in any meetings with Royalty, I haven’t yet been able to utter the ‘your highness,’” the New Zealand-born actor explained. “It simply doesn’t come out of my mouth. It’s not in my DNA.”
The greeting wasn’t meant as “any disrespect or discourtesy,” though, said Crowe. “Far from it. I was pleased to meet them.”
In the thread, Crowe also sprang to the defense of King Charles III.
The then-Prince of Wales struck him as “kind,” “funny” and “deeply intelligent and good company” when they met at the “Master & Commander” premiere in 2003. “I’ll never forget the warmth in our last handshake. Good bloke.”
Crowe said he wasn’t a monarchist but was “sure” Charles would “do the very best job he can.”
“I don’t think any of us can really understand what that life of duty and expectation must feel like,” Crowe noted. “He’s taking over the family business. That is his destiny. Like it is for many, from publishers to plasterers.”
Read Crowe’s full thread here:
Don’t bother sending abuse, because I’m not a monarchist, nor am I a name dropper, but…
I met the former Prince Charles at a Royal Premier of master & commander in London, 2003.
Dani was 6 months pregnant with our first. We did the obligatory conga line of cast introductions,— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) May 1, 2023
then we sat with him for the film.
The man who would be King was kind. He was also funny. Deeply intelligent and good company, and gallant in his deference to Dani’s pregnancy.
I’ll never forget the warmth in our last hand shake.
Good bloke.
I don’t think any of us can really— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) May 1, 2023
understand what that life of duty and expectation must feel like.
He’s taking over the family business. That is his destiny. Like it is for many, from publishers to plasterers.
In any of my meetings with Royalty, I haven’t yet been able to utter the “ your highness”— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) May 1, 2023
It simply doesn’t come out of my mouth.
It’s not in my dna.
I called both William & Harry mate when I met them.
I thought the equerry was going to pass out.
That doesn’t mean however that I meant any disrespect or discourtesy. Far from it. I was pleased to meet them.— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) May 1, 2023
I view the costumes and the ritual and the pageantry with distant interest, if any. I don’t know what it’s all supposed to mean in 2023, nor in any other time for that matter.
I don’t really think we need a King, but I’m sure Charles III will do the very best job he can.— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) May 1, 2023
