In an amusing twist of fate, Denzel Washington found himself sharing small talk with none other than King Charles III at the Gladiator II premiere in London.
The seasoned actor seemed to have thrown royal etiquette out the window during this rare encounter, as he humorously recounted to Jimmy Kimmel. Describing the experience, Denzel said there were numerous rules, such as not getting too close and letting the king speak first. However, he admitted to forgetting them all in the excitement of the moment.
When King Charles III mentioned his admiration for Denzel’s movies, Denzel couldn’t help but jest about whether the king had actually seen all of them. Laughing it off, he told Kimmel, “That’s what he said—all of them.”
Denzel wasn’t alone in this star-studded interaction; the entire Gladiator II cast, including Pedro Pascal, Paul Mescal, and Connie Nielsen, also greeted the king. Paul Mescal later shared his awe, noting the significance for the film’s director, Ridley Scott, even if it wasn’t a major personal milestone for him. “I’m Irish,” he quipped, implying this wasn’t on his list of priorities.
Meanwhile, the meeting took place against the backdrop of King Charles’s health struggles. Details emerged about the monarch’s recent cancer diagnosis, which had caused him to take a step back from some of his royal duties. His wife, Queen Camilla, has been stepping up to fill in, and she offered reassuring words about his well-being.
In other royal news, Queen Camilla also had to withdraw from public engagements due to a chest infection. The Palace expressed hope for her recovery in time for the Remembrance events. And in the world of joyous announcements, Princess Beatrice shared news of her pregnancy, adding another member to the royal family.
Additionally, the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, has been publicly sharing her own health journey with cancer. After completing chemotherapy, she expressed hope for recovery, promising a gradual return to royal duties. Her candidness has offered a rare glimpse into the personal challenges faced by the royals.
Meeting King Charles III was a brief yet unforgettable experience for the cast of Gladiator II. Despite the formal setting, Denzel’s candid retelling adds a touch of humour and humanity to this royal encounter, reminding us of the lighter side of celeb life.
