News/July 2011

Barbra and the Royal Family

Barbra is no stranger to the Royal family. Having officially met Prince William (photo, top), Barbra can now boast that she knows three generations of Windsors.

1966 & 1968: Princess Margaret   On April 9, 1966, the Queen's sister, Princess Margaret was one of Barbra's backstage visitors during a live benefit performance of Funny Girl in London. In her conversation with the princess, Barbra mentioned how distracted the audience was by having a royal in attendance. "You should be here on a night when you're not here." Princess Margaret must have really enjoyed the stage version of Funny Girl. In 1968, when the film opened at London's Odeon Theatre in Leicester Square, she was first in line to see it.

1975: Queen Elizabeth II   On March 17, 1975, Barbra was presented to the Queen of England at the 1974 London premiere of Funny Lady. "Your Majesty, why do women have to wear gloves to meet you and the men don't?"

1974 & 1994: Prince Charles   Prince Charles and Barbra have forged a genuine friendship over the years. In 1974, Charles visited Barbra in Hollywood while she was recording songs for the film Funny Lady. In April 1994, Prince Charles attended one of Barbra's concerts at London's Wembley Arena where the two old friends caught up backstage. "Who knows. Maybe if I had been a little nicer to him, I would have been the first real Jewish princess."

1984: Princess Alexandra   On March 29, 1984, Yentl premiered in London's Leicester Square. It was a huge event - a royal charity benefit for the National Association for Mental Health. Princess Alexandra, first cousin to Queen Elizabeth II and (currently) 37th in line to the thrown was the royal hostess.

1992: Princess Diana   Princess Diana and Barbra met in London at the royal premiere of The Prince of Tides in 1992. The film opening was a charity benefit for the Princess's AIDS Crisis Trust. " ... the night of the 'Prince of Tides' opening in London. She made me stand up first, quite contrary to protocol."