Recently Hollywood star Russell Crowe, 59, became an unlikely defender of the British monarchy amid the push for Australia and New Zealand to become republics.
He jumped to King Charles’ defence on Twitter, reflecting on when he met the now-monarch 20 years ago at the premiere of his movie Master & Commander in London.
Russell tweeted to his 2.9 million followers: “The man who would be King was kind. He was also funny.”
However, it appears that this alone wasn’t enough to snag the action hero an invite to the Coronation.
Speaking to radio host Dan Anstey on Triple M Breakfast Brisbane, the Oscar winner contemplated why his invite may not have been forthcoming.
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He suggested one reason he may have been “blacklisted” was that he was reluctant to follow royal protocols, as he recalled his last meeting with the royal family.
When the host asked whether he was heading to London for the Coronation, in light of his recent tweets praising Charles, Russell revealed that he “didn’t get the call”.
Speculating as to why he said: “It’s probably due to last time I was introduced to royalty.
“The equerry [an officer of the British royal household], he comes to talk to you and then goes, ‘Listen, when you talk to a prince, you refer to them as this, this, this and this,’” he explained.
In his earlier tweets Russell had also said: “In any meetings with royalty, I haven’t yet been able to utter the ‘your highness’.
“It simply doesn’t come out of my mouth. It’s not in my DNA,” he confessed.
Russell went on to reveal to the radio host how he wasn’t just informal – he was downright familiar.
“I called Prince Harry and William ‘mate’. I thought the equerry was going to pass out,” he admitted.
In a tweet he posted on Monday Russell was keen to reinforce that the casual greeting wasn’t meant as “any disrespect or discourtesy.”
“Far from it. I was pleased to meet them,” he claimed.
He reiterated this to Dan in the interview saying: “I’m always respectful and I’m always very pleased to meet people, but the ‘your highness’ thing, it’s just not in my nature.”
In the series of tweets on Monday Russell also wrote about his apathy for aspects of the Coronation which may also have contributed to him being left off the guest list.
“I view the costumes and the ritual and the pageantry with distant interest, if any,” he said.
“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.”
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