Barbra Streisand reveals Prince Charles sent this very special gift to her hotel room

Barbra Streisand has opened up about her close relationship with Prince Charles in a new interview

Barbra Streisand has opened up about her close relationship with Prince Charles in a new interview
(Image credit: Charley Gallay/Getty Images for LACMA)

Barbra Streisand has shared surprising details about her little-known history with Prince Charles, revealing he once sent a sweet gift to her hotel room. 


Prince Charles mightn't be the first person who springs to mind when you think of Barbra Streisand's closest friends, but it looks like the unlikely pair had quite the connection back in the day. 

The legendary musician has responded to the Prince of Wales' recent comments that he will "never forget her dazzling, effervescent talent" on their first encounter in 1974. 

Charles told the Times that he had met the Funny Girl star at the Warner Brothers Studio in San Diego, and was left absolutely wowed by "the unique vitality and attraction of her voice and her acting ability." 

Credit Image: © Globe Photos/ZUMAPRESS.com)

Prince Charles meeting Barbra Streisand in 1974 

(Image credit: Globe Photos/ZUMAPRESS.com/Alamy)

Barbra has now offered her own memories of the royal introduction, which, unbeknownst to her at the time, would lead to a surprisingly tight friendship. 

"It was so sweet," Barbra said during a recent appearance on ITV's Lorraine. "He asked to meet me. So he came to the recording studio." Always the comedian, she cracked a quick joke in the middle of the anecdote, recalling, "I offered him a sip of tea and I thought, 'They didn't have to test me for poison or something? No.'" 

Luckily, Charles didn't have any trust issues towards the EGOT-winning artist. The kind gesture left quite the impression on the young royal, prompting him to invite Barbra to stay at his plush country residence in Gloucestershire. 

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 25: Prince Charles, Prince of Wales smiles as he meets Marvin Hamlisch (4th R), Martin Erlichman (2nd R) and Barbra Streisand (R), backstage during a champagne reception ahead of a Gala performance in aid of The Prince's Trust at Wembley Arena on April 25, 1994 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Anwar Hussein/Getty Images)

Prince Charles and Barbra Streisand were close friends back in the day 

(Image credit: Anwar Hussein/Getty Images)

"We became friends, and I loved spending some time at Highgrove for a weekend fundraiser and going through his gardens," she revealed. 

With their busy schedules, it wasn't always easy to find time to spend together. Charles refused to lose touch with Barbra though, sending her a very special gift the next time she was in London. She reminisced to host Ross King on the exciting moment when she arrived back at her hotel room to find a bouquet of freshly-cut flowers, courtesy of the future King himself. 

Pool/Anwar Hussein Collection/WireImage

Prince Charles invited Barbra to his royal residence of Highgrove House 

(Image credit: Pool/Anwar Hussein Collection/WireImage/Getty)

"I said, [to her assistant] 'Who sent me that?' "and she said, 'A fan called Charles.' And I said, 'Really? Let me see the note'—and there was his seal. And they weren't like from a florist because they were from his gardens and it's a different look."

"It was so funny," Barbra said. "I thought," That's Prince Charles!

Before people raise their eyebrows at the relationship between the pair, don't worry —this was all before Charles met Lady Diana Spencer. At the time, the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth's children was a 26-year-old bachelor looking to find a suitable wife—a position Barbra didn't end up filling. 

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

Emma Dooney
Lifestyle News Writer

Hailing from the lovely city of Dublin, Emma mainly covers the Royal Family and the entertainment world, as well as the occasional health and wellness feature. Always up for a good conversation, she has a passion for interviewing everyone from A-list celebrities to the local GP - or just about anyone who will chat to her, really.

Emma holds an MA in International Journalism from City, University of London, and a BA in English Literature from Trinity College Dublin.