King Charles' was infatuated by one Hollywood superstar who he grew close with (Image: Getty Images)

King Charles 'obsession' with Hollywood legend who he had framed picture of on his wall

The King was said to have been 'obsessed' with Barbra Streisand and the pair were said to have grown very close after meeting in the 1970s.

by · Daily Record

The Royal Family's love lives have always been a source of great fascination, whether it's candid photos or impending engagements. Consider the intrigue that surrounded the early courtship of the Prince and Princess of Wales, or Prince Harry's transatlantic romance with Meghan Markle.

So, you can imagine the buzz in the 1970s when rumours began to circulate that King Charles, then the Prince of Wales, was growing close to a certain Hollywood and Broadway superstar. In 1974, reports emerged that the future King had formed a bond with American royalty, and the two had become good friends.

Both have since publicly acknowledged their connection and revealed just how close they became. Charles was only 26 and serving in the Royal Navy when he met Streisand in California, OK! reports.

Prince Charles and Barbara Streisand in 1994 (Image: Anwar Hussein/Getty Images))

She was recording new music and filming the sequel to her hit movie Funny Girl at the time, and the pair quickly became friends. According to American author Christopher Andersen in his forthcoming biography 'The King: The Life of Charles III', the monarch watched Funny Girl three times.

A framed photograph of Streisand adorned his rooms at Cambridge and was hung on the wall of his bedroom at Buckingham Palace after graduation. The author delved into the unexpected bond in his 2018 tome, 'Game of Crowns', revealing that Diana, Princess of Wales' confidante, Lady Elsa Bowke, suggested the connection was so profound that she "would not have been surprised if they had an affair".

The King is said to have once penned in his navy journal: "People look at me in amazement when I say she is devastatingly attractive with a great deal of sex appeal."

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Both the monarch and Barbra Streisand have openly discussed their close relationship. In 2021, Charles featured on the radio show 'Music and Memories With HRH The Prince Of Wales', part of the UK's Thank You Day celebrations for the NHS's efforts during the pandemic.

During the broadcast, he warmly recalled his initial encounter with the star, telling the host: "I have always been a great admirer of the incredibly versatile American actress and singer Barbra Streisand."

He continued, reminiscing about 1974 when he was a young lieutenant aboard HMS Jupiter: "Back in 1974, when I was serving in the Royal Navy...as a young lieutenant in the frigate HMS Jupiter, we called into the United States navy's base in San Diego, California...when I heard that she was currently making the film [Funny Lady - sequel to Funny Girl]."

King Charles fondly recounted a memorable encounter with iconic singer Barbra Streisand during a performance, reminiscing on the indelible impression she left. "I was lucky enough to visit the set and to meet her there. I shall never forget her dazzling, effervescent talent and the unique vitality and attraction of her voice and her acting ability.

Barbra Streisand as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl (Image: Getty)

"This next song, 'Don't Rain on my Parade,' is therefore full of special memories of - I hardly dare think of it now - 47 years ago."

Streisand too opened up about the warmth between them in an ITV's Lorraine interview saying, "He asked to meet me. So he came to the recording studio... I offered him a sip of tea and I thought, 'They didn't have to test me for poison or something? No.'"

She shared details of their ensuing friendship: "We became friends," and discussed enjoyable moments spent together including "some time at Highgrove for a weekend fundraiser and going through his gardens."

A chuckle-worthy anecdote also emerged as Streisand revealed how the Prince sent her flowers discreetly, thinking they were from an anonymous admirer initially: "I walked by [the assistant's] room and I saw this bouquet of flowers and I said, 'Who sent me that? ' and she said, 'A fan called Charles.' And I said, 'Really? Let me see the note,'" she narrated.

Recognising Prince Charles's seal, she noted with pleasure how these were not ordinary florist's fare but "They were from his gardens and it's a different look-the flowers-when they are garden flowers."

King Charles news

Barbra Streisand explained the assistant "just mistook it for a fan". She added: "It was so funny, I thought. That's Prince Charles! That was before he met Diana.

"I had a very funny line on stage when he came to see the show. I said, 'You know, if I played my cards right, I could have wound up being the first Jewish princess! '".

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