THE QUEEN might be pictured looking a little more stern than usual these days.
But when Kimberley Walsh, 38, crossed paths with the monarch, 93, she was in much better spirits.
The pop star met Her Majesty in 2012 after she performed song ‘The Promise’ with her Girls Aloud band mates at the 2012 Royal Variety Performance.
Recalling the memorable occasion, the mum-of-one noted that the royal appeared to have come well-prepared.
“She said she loved our dresses and asked if we were on a break – which we had been – so she’d obviously done her research,” she told the Daily Mail.
The group – which also included Cheryl Tweedy, Sarah Harding, Nadine Coyle and Nicola Roberts – took a three-year break from 2009, before ultimately disbanding in 2013.
Kimberley also praised the Queen’s warmth during the high-profile occasion, which was even more special because it was the 100th anniversary of the Royal Variety and the year of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
She added: ” She had a nice warm vibe about her, she met all our eyes and didn’t do a fake handshake, so I thought she made a real effort to connect.”
The star isn’t the only famous face to get on well with the monarch.
Her Majesty discussed “handsome” David Beckham over martinis with Tom Hanks.
The actor was seated next to the Queen at a white tie state dinner during former US President Barack Obama’s UK visit back in 2011.
Discussing their meeting during an interview with CBS This Morning back in 2016, he claimed: “I sat right next to the Queen of England at a dinner with the Obamas.
“Out of nowhere I noticed this gloved hand place a tumbler of clear liquid (in front of her.)
“I looked at it and said ‘what is Her Majesty drinking this evening’ and she said ‘ooh martini.’
“Somebody on her staff must have said ‘it is time for the royal martini.’”
Asked by host Gayle King what they spoke about, he revealed that David Beckham – sat on the table opposite – came up.
The film star admitted: “I did say to Her Majesty ‘That David Beckham fellow, he’s a quite handsome man isn’t he?’ and she said ‘oh yes, oh yes, oh yes.’”
In other royal news, we told how the Queen wants Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s exit to be done and hates discussing it, says a royal expert.
We also revealed how Prince George and Princess Charlotte went lambing to experience “country life”.
And Kate Middleton shared an unseen photo with a young fan following parenting survey.
