Tom Cruise Recalls 'Brilliant' Princess Diana, Compares Her to Prince William and Kate
The actor shared fond memories of his encounters with the late princess, highlighting her 'down-to-earth' nature.
Tom Cruise has shared emotional recollections of his meetings with Princess Diana, describing the late royal as a "brilliant and intelligent woman" and noting her "down-to-earth" qualities, which he likened to those of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Cruise, 64, spoke about his encounters with Diana during a promotional tour in France for his new film, "Digger." The film is set to be released in the UK and US on October 2.
He recalled his first meeting with Princess Diana in 1992, which took place at the debut of his film "Far And Away," accompanied by his then-wife Nicole Kidman. The actor stated that getting to know her was "a joy."
Diana also visited the set of Cruise's film "Mission: Impossible" in 1995. According to her former royal chef Darren McGrady, Diana reportedly joked about Cruise's height after their meeting, noting he was "too short" for her. Princess Diana died in a car crash in August 1997. Cruise and Kidman attended her funeral at Westminster Abbey.
Cruise noted that Diana shared the same grounded qualities as her son, Prince William, and his wife, Kate. "She was like William and Kate: approachable, down-to-earth," he remarked.
Cruise has maintained connections with the British Royal Family, having previously had a private tea with the late Queen Elizabeth II and bonding with Prince William over aviation. He also recently reunited with the Prince and Princess of Wales at the London premiere of "Digger," where he was seen guiding Kate Middleton down steps, a moment that drew attention for its departure from typical royal protocol. He previously broke protocol by taking Kate's hand on the red carpet at the "Top Gun: Maverick" Royal Film Performance in 2022.
Cruise also participated in segments for Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations and the Coronation Concert. He recalled having a meeting with the late Queen at Windsor Castle, which he described as a significant experience. The Queen had reportedly invited him for tea in her final weeks, expressing disappointment at not meeting him during her Platinum Jubilee celebrations earlier that summer. Insiders noted that the Queen "really hit it off" with Cruise, even allowing him to land his helicopter on the castle grounds.