In her newly released memoir, "My Name Is Barbra," iconic singer and actress Barbra Streisand delves into her personal experiences with the British royal family, recounting heartwarming interactions with both Princess Diana and King Charles III.
Streisand vividly recalls a touching moment with the late Princess Diana during the London premiere of "The Prince of Tides" in 1992. In a gesture of unexpected kindness, Diana discreetly assisted Streisand with a wardrobe malfunction. "The zipper on my skirt had come down a bit as I was sitting, and she noticed and quickly started to zip it up for me as I got to my feet," Streisand writes. This simple act of thoughtfulness left a lasting impression, with Diana asking Streisand, "Do you know how wonderful you are?"
Reflecting on this encounter, Streisand expresses her admiration for Diana's grace and wonders if the princess recognized her own remarkable qualities. "I thought Diana was wonderful. I wonder if she knew how wonderful she was," Streisand muses in her book.
The memoir also sheds light on Streisand's interactions with King Charles III, who had reportedly harbored a crush on the "Funny Girl" star before his marriage to Diana in 1981. Streisand details their initial meeting and the development of a friendship that included visits to Highgrove, Charles' residence. "He asked to meet me. So he came to the recording studio," Streisand recalls. "We became friends, and I loved spending some time at Highgrove for a weekend fundraiser and going through his gardens."
The relationship between Streisand and the royal family extends beyond mere acquaintance, as King Charles sent her flowers from his personal gardens. Streisand, taken aback by the gesture, recalls her surprise upon learning the identity of her admirer. "I said: 'Who sent me that?' and she said: 'A fan called Charles.' And I said: 'Really? Let me see the note' - and there was his seal. And they weren't from a florist because they were from his gardens and it's a different look," she shares.
In her memoir, Streisand not only offers readers an insight into her illustrious career but also provides a unique glimpse into her interactions with figures of historical significance, adding a personal dimension to our understanding of these public personas.
