Barbra Streisand, the iconic American singer, has shared insights into her unique and ‘unexpected’ friendship with King Charles, as documented in her new memoir, “My Name is Barbra: The Exhilarating and Startlingly Honest Autobiography of the Living Legend.”
This memoir provides a glimpse into their enduring bond, which began in 1974. Streisand’s recollections offer a rare perspective on her relationship with the ‘utterly charming’ royal.
The Initial Encounter:
Their first meeting occurred during the filming of “Funny Lady” in 1974, at Columbia Studios in Hollywood. It was here that Charles, then the Prince of Wales, arrived in the hope of meeting the renowned singer.
Rumors had circulated that Charles had a poster of Streisand on his wall and was infatuated with her. The royal’s admiration for her even led Princess Diana to suggest that the two might have had an affair.
A Potential Jewish Princess:
Barbra Streisand once humorously remarked, “If I had played my cards right, I could have been the first Jewish princess.” She noted that knowing about Charles’ admiration for her would have made her self-conscious if she had been aware of it during their initial encounter.
The San Diego Meeting:
The first face-to-face encounter took place in 1974 when Charles was stationed with the Royal Navy in San Diego. He traveled to California to meet the Emmy award-winning singer, who was working on a sequel to the famous film “Funny Girl.”
Despite their shared shyness, the initial meet-up led to the beginning of an ‘unexpected friendship.’
Backstage at Wembley Arena:
Their friendship continued to grow, with a notable rendezvous backstage at Barbra’s Wembley Arena concert in 1994.
Charles watched the concert from the Royal Box, and two hundred seats were sold by Prince’s Trust to support young people. Following the concert, Barbra received a bouquet of fresh flowers from the Prince, personally signed “Charles.”
Speculation and Controversy:
In 2006, an unauthorized biography claimed that Streisand had a secret affair with Prince Charles. The book, “Barbra – The Way She Is,” alleged that Charles romanced her in November 1994, shortly after his separation from Princess Diana.
Sources cited in the biography mentioned a private dinner between the two where they appeared ‘very affectionate toward each other.’
Shared Interests and Experiences:
Barbra Streisand and King Charles connected over their mutual interests in ‘gardens, organic food, and the health of the planet.’ In 1995, Charles invited Streisand to his residence in Gloucestershire, where they enjoyed a candlelit dinner and discussed topics such as ‘art and architecture.’
Their friendship continued over the years, marked by gestures like a watercolor painting card for her birthday and a video message for her 80th birthday.
A Conversation with Queen Elizabeth II:
The memoir also recalls Streisand’s meeting with Queen Elizabeth II in 1975 during the London premiere of “Funny Lady.”
During this encounter, Streisand inquired about the tradition of women wearing gloves to shake hands with the Queen. Her question prompted the Queen to explain the tradition’s historical significance.