Natalie Portman says then-Prince Charles asked if she starred in original 1977 Star Wars

The actress, now 42, recalled her royal interaction on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen this week, describing how she met Charles at a 1999 premiere where they endured an awkward exchange

Natalie Portman revealed a then-Prince Charles asked her in in 1999 if she starred in the original 1977 Star Wars films, despite her not being born until four years later.

The actress, now 42, recalled her Royal Family interaction on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen this week, describing how she met Charles at the 1999 premiere of Phantom Menace in London. Cohen asked the Black Swan star if she remembered any of the conversations with now King Charles, prompting her to reveal their awkward exchange.

Natalie said: "A little bit. I remember Prince Charles asked me, he was then Prince Charles, if I was in the originals.". Natalie then giggled at the memory, before adding: "I was like, 'I'm 18', ...but he was very friendly." The original Star Wars was released in 1977, while Portman was born four years later in 1981.

READ MORE: King Charles and Kate put on united front at royal engagements before crisis meeting

It comes as King Charles is said to currently be engaging in crisis talks with other members of the Royal Family following the release of Omid Scobie's latest book on Harry and Meghan, Endgame.

The royals put on a show of unity in a special picture released tonight at the glittering Buckingham Palace reception. The Princess of Wales stunned in a pink Jenny Packham dress and diamond encrusted Lover’s Knot tiara.The iconic piece was one of Princess Diana’s favourite pieces and created for Queen Mary in 1914 by the House of Garrard from pearls and diamonds already owned by her family.

The picture was taken in the 1844 Room ahead of the Diplomatic Ball. The Queen wore a cream embroidered evening gown by Fiona Clare; the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara and also the Queen Mother’s - diamond brooch, known as a stomacher, and the late Queen’s diamond bracelet.

A royal aide said: “We are very much focused on the job in hand.” Kate earlier in the day hugged parents and spoke to sick children as she visited a children’s hospital in London to officially open a new unit.

The King and Prince William were also back to work, with the monarch making his traditional festive visit to an Orthodox church and the Prince of Wales stunning Tesco shoppers with an unannounced visit to sell the Big Issue magazine. Appearing in public for the first time since the scandal rocked the monarchy, Kate visited the Evelina Hospital to open the new children’s day surgery unit.

She began the visit by meeting nine-year-old Ella Moth, who won a competition to design the artwork for the new unit. Ella’s space-themed drawings were inspired by the death of her father, Piers, who she says has now ‘gone to the stars’. Her father was treated for brain cancer at Guy’s hospital before he died in 2021.