Russell Crowe's blunt take on the need for a monarchy
Russell Crowe has shared his thoughts on the need for the monarchy ahead of the highly-anticipated coronation of King Charles.
The Aussie actor, who has become acquainted with several of the royals throughout his career, says Charles is a “good bloke” but that “we don’t need a King”.
Taking to Twitter, Crowe recounted meeting Charles with his ex-wife Danielle Spencer at the royal premiere of the film Master and Commander in 2003.
“Dani was six months pregnant with our first. We did the obligatory conga line of cast introductions, then we sat with him for the film,” Crowe wrote.
“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.”
However, Crowe stressed his deference to the royals only went so far.
“In any of my meetings with royalty, I haven’t yet been able to utter the ‘your highness’,” he continued.
“It simply doesn’t come out of my mouth. It’s not in my DNA.
“I called both William and Harry ‘mate’ when I met them.
“I thought the equerry (an officer of the British royal household) 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.
“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.”
He added, “I don’t think any of us can really 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.”
Buckingham Palace has kept the guest list carefully under wraps, but it was revealed that Lionel Richie is among the celebrities that scored an invite.
Richie, 73, has confirmed he will be one of the headline acts at a concert on the grounds of Windsor Castle the day after, and will be present in London’s Westminister Abbey for the May 6 coronation, the palace revealed in a statement.
Other big names include Kelly Jones, lead singer of the band Stereophonics, and restoration and recycling champ Jay Blades, presenter of the BBC television series The Repair Shop.
An unnamed group of Nobel prize winners made the list for the event, which has seen numbers slashed from the 8,000 invited to his mother’s coronation in 1953 to just 2,000.
It was previously revealed that two massive stars from the UK declined to perform.
Charles is reportedly determined that the ceremony reflects modern British life rather than piling in aristocrats seen in previous coronations.
He is said to have chosen “meritocratic not aristocratic” criteria that have seen invitations sent out to representatives of charitable organisations backed by the King and Queen Consort Camilla.
Other guests include recipients of the British Empire Medal who have been honoured for good works such as English schoolboy Max Woosey, who raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for a hospice by sleeping in a tent in his garden for three years.
Image credit: Getty