Natalie Portman Shares Cringe Encounter With King Charles As A Teen: 'I'm 18!'
King Charles III mistakenly thought Natalie Portman was in the original "Star Wars" films from the 1970s and 80s.
The Oscar-winning actress opened up about her cringe first meeting with the royal during her recent appearance on "Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen."
Portman recalled her encounter with the then-prince at the 1999 London premiere of "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace," saying, "I remember Prince Charles asked me -- he was then Prince Charles -- if I was in the originals."
"I was like, 'I'm 18!'" she responded. "But he was very friendly."
On the talk show, Portman also expressed her openness to reprising her role as Padmé Amidala in future "Star Wars" installments.
Responding to a question about returning to the franchise, she stated that "no one has asked" her about it, but "I'm open to it."
Portman reflected on her experience working on the prequel trilogy, describing it as "amazing" and highlighting the challenges of working with green screens and digital technology.
In "Revenge of the Sith," her character died in labor after giving birth to Luke and Leia. But Variety noted that the franchise has resurrected dead characters, such as "Phantom Menace" villain Darth Maul, who appeared in "Solo."
Hayden Christensen, Portman's co-star in the prequels, reprised his role as Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader in Disney+'s "Obi-Wan Kenobi" and "Ahsoka."
Meanwhile, Taika Waititi, who is currently working on a new "Star Wars" movie, previously revealed that he inadvertently approached Portman about a role, forgetting she was already part of the universe.
Portman also shared the anecdote in a GQ interview earlier this year, saying, "He asked me if I wanted to be in a 'Star Wars' movie, and I was like, 'I was.' I thought he was joking. He's such a joker that I thought it was a joke. And then afterward, he said in some interview that he was like cringing afterward."
Portman also recently offered a cautionary note to aspiring child actors.
While she doesn't regret starting her career at a young age, she discouraged children from entering the industry.
Portman emphasized the importance of play and education for kids, telling Variety, "I don't believe that kids should work. I think kids should play and go to school."
Fans can catch Portman in her new drama, "May December," which is now streaming on Netflix.