The UK’s Prince William is thought to have a close bond with a popular Hollywood star, who he’s been pictured with on more than one occasion in recent years
08:49 ET, 24 Jul 2025Updated 08:56 ET, 24 Jul 2025
Prince William is thought to be a huge fan of the Top Gun franchise
Tom Cruise‘s friendship with Prince William and Kate Middleton reportedly goes further than what meets the eye. The star of the Top Gun franchise has been pictured with many royals, including King Charles‘ eldest son and his wife, over the years.
In 2022, the 63-year-old was seen mingling with the UK’s future King and Queen at the premiere of his film Top Gun: Maverick, where they all walked the red carpet. Additional photos show Tom holding onto Kate’s hand and also sharing a laugh with the royal pair.
Fast forward to February 2024 and Tom and William were spotted joking together again, this time at London’s Air Ambulance Charity Gala Dinner. According to the Daily Mail’s Richard Eden, the duo have “developed quite a friendship over the years” due to their mutual love for aviation.
Speaking on the the publication’s Royals YouTube channel, Richard added: “Indeed, he and Catherine are said to be big fans of the Top Gun franchise, having attended the premiere of Top Gun: Maverick in 2022.”
At the time of the event, Tom reportedly said about his friendship with the royals: “We have a lot in common. We both love England and we’re both aviators, we both love flying.”
Tom Cruise was pictured mingling with the royal pair at the Top Gun: Maverick premiere
Additionally, Richard also mentioned reports of the Hollywood star previously hosting a private event for the royals to see the film at Kensington Palace that same year.
Discussing their joint appearance at the gala, the journalist added: “So with Tom Cruise by his side, William made his first public comments about the King’s shock cancer diagnosis at the gala dinner for London’s Air ambulance charity, of which he is the patron.”
Buckingham Palace announced in February 2024 that Charles was battling an undisclosed form of cancer. Shortly after this news was made public, Kate also shared that she was undergoing treatment for cancer.
At the event, the Prince of Wales addressed the attendees, saying: “I’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you, also, for the kind messages of support for Catherine and for my father, especially in recent days. It means a great deal to us all.
“It’s fair to say the past few weeks have had a rather medical focus. So I thought I’d come to an air ambulance function to get away from it all!”.
Tom Cruise and Prince William are thought to have ‘quite a friendship’
William then quipped about Tom, who is known for his daring movie stunts, stating: “Here in London, the current aircraft have served magnificently. But our capital city needs a new fleet.
“And we are up against time. The clue really is in the Appeal’s name. By September, we need the two new red birds – decked with the latest kit such as night vision – in our skies.
“I should also take this opportunity to give a mention to my – our – fellow pilot, Tom Cruise. Tom, huge thanks for supporting us tonight.”
Tom’s interactions with the Royal family date back to the early 1990s. Images from that era show him meeting William’s now late mother Princess Diana, and subsequently attending her funeral in 1997.
20 years later, he was seen chatting with Prince Philip, who died in 2021, during the 75th anniversary of the Outward Bound Trust at Buckingham Palace.