News | Entertainment
2 Jul 2025 14:41
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Joanna Lumley "turned rather dim" when she met Queen Elizabeth for the first time

    The 75-year-old actress - who is friends with Prince Charles - was "absolutely terrified" before she came face-to-face with the monarch for the first time, but insisted she was no different to anyone else


    Speaking on 'The Andrew Marr Show', she said: “Even the people who say, ‘What an honour, oh you’ll love it, she’s so friendly’, no matter how much of that goes on you’re absolutely terrified the first time you see the Queen.

    “It’s almost like an electric shock because somebody so familiar is suddenly in front of you.”

    “When she looks at you her eyes are so blue and so you have that shock and you immediately start being rather dim and rather babbly.”

    And the 'Absolutely Fabulous' star admitted she could "never" think of appropriate things to say to the queen and on one occasion she confided in her about her concerns about legalising drugs.

    She said: “I went to one of the lunches at Buckingham Palace and for some extraordinary reason [when] she said, ‘Tell me what you’re doing nowadays’ I said I’m very concerned about legalising drugs.

    “I mean what happened to me, as if she would care, she had no interest in it. Anyway she let me babble on for a little bit because she is very good at listening to people.”

    Joanna previously praised the queen after it was reported the monarch had said she found it "irritating" when world leaders "talk but don't do" when it comes to taking action on climate change.

    The actress said: “Isn’t that terrific? We’re much, much closer to disaster than we think and we want to see something happening now, not all these people rubbing their chins and having a committee meeting and presenting minutes and back-slapping.”

    © 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     02 Jul: Taylor Swift has spent $13,000 on a giant friendship bracelet
     02 Jul: Kate Winslet has become an ambassador for The King's Foundation
     02 Jul: Bob Geldof has praised his late ex-wife Paula Yates for being instrumental in Live Aid
     02 Jul: Sir Brian May doesn't believe that his Queen bandmate Freddie Mercury has a secret daughter
     02 Jul: Scarlett Johansson has revealed that her twin brother Hunter was her most enthusiastic supporter at the premiere of Jurassic World Rebirth
     02 Jul: James Norton is "crazily grateful" for the "pain" of his split from Imogen Poots
     02 Jul: Rihanna's father died of cancer and other serious illnesses
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    The spectre of a second-string opponent is just something the All Blacks have to deal with More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Woolworths is recalling potentially plastic-infused mince, sold in its North Island stores More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Taylor Swift has spent $13,000 on a giant friendship bracelet 14:36

    Soccer:
    The Wellington Phoenix have confirmed the departure of three men's players 14:07

    Entertainment:
    Kate Winslet has become an ambassador for The King's Foundation 14:06

    Accident and Emergency:
    A 34-year-old woman's died, after a two-vehicle crash last Thursday on State Highway Two in Tauranga 13:47

    Entertainment:
    Bob Geldof has praised his late ex-wife Paula Yates for being instrumental in Live Aid 13:36

    Business:
    Woolworths is recalling potentially plastic-infused mince, sold in its North Island stores 13:27

    Rugby League:
    The odds are shortening on Des Hasler being the first NRL head coach to be punted this season 13:07

    Entertainment:
    Sir Brian May doesn't believe that his Queen bandmate Freddie Mercury has a secret daughter 13:06

    Entertainment:
    Scarlett Johansson has revealed that her twin brother Hunter was her most enthusiastic supporter at the premiere of Jurassic World Rebirth 12:36

    Law and Order:
    Police are preparing to investigate a Gore toddler's death - for a third time 12:27


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd