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King Charles is sick. That much is known. But he was also the oldest person to succeed to the British throne at the age of 73. That means that, from the beginning, the expectation was that his reign wouldn’t last nearly as long as his mother’s. And as preparations for succession are being made, one important part is King Charles’ funeral. Now, reports indicate the King is set on one particular singer performing at his funeral.
The King has reportedly requested Barbra Streisand perform at his eventual funeral. A place insider told #ShuterScoop that the “request is real. He’s always adored her — and this would be a deeply personal farewell.”
Related: Here’s what each royal inherited from Queen Elizabeth
Streisand writes about their connection in her memoir, “My Name Is Barbra.” The two reportedly first met when King Charles visited Los Angeles in 1974 and stopped for a visit at Warner Bros. Studios, where Streisand was recording music for Funny Lady.
“The prince was utterly charming when he came to the studio, but frankly, it’s hard to have a real conversation when you’re surrounded by fifty photographers snapping pictures,” Streisand wrote in her memoir. “I was drinking tea and offered him a sip… and the future king of England actually drank from my cup, which was apparently unprecedented. When the British press reported on this, they turned it into the equivalent of an international incident.”
According to the singer, King Charles asked her what kind of tea she was drinking, and she told him it was Constant Comment. She also wrote, “I couldn’t think of anything else to say, and I’m so work oriented that I was feeling guilty about all those musicians who were waiting for me to get on with the session. So I’m afraid I wasn’t as gracious as I should have been.”
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“The fact is, both Prince Charles and I are shy, but somehow we still managed to connect… because that proved to be the beginning of an unexpected friendship,” she added.
But that’s not all, as apparently Charles’s fascination with Streisand started way before they met. “I was told that Charles has said I was his ‘only pinup’ (apparently he had a poster of me in his room at Cambridge), and he described me as ‘devastatingly attractive’ with ‘great sex appeal.’ Who knew?” Streisand shared in the book.
The singer went on to explain that the two reconnected in 1994 when she played several shows in London, including one benefiting his charity. The pair’s “extraordinary” friendship has lasted “decades,” with Streisand even visiting the King’s home, Highgrove, in 1995. According to Streisand, the two also regularly exchange birthday cards.
Recent reports about the King’s funeral plans have shed light on where he stands with his youngest son, Prince Harry, after senior aides for the two met in what is considered a first step towards reconciliation. According to The Telegraph, the King has factored not only Prince Harry but also Meghan Markle and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, into the heart of his funeral plans.
The plans even include Prince Harry walking side by side with his brother at the forefront of the processions through the streets of London.
As for Streisand, there is no confirmation as to whether she will perform at the funeral, but considering what Streisand herself has said about their relationship, it’s not a leap to think she will.