The “world’s hottest gran” and King Charles may seem like an unusual pairing but the former recalled the “special moment” she met the royal.
Gina Stewart, 52, feared her “heart would stop” when she shook his hands as a school girl.
She fondly remembered him as being “very cool and fun” – and she even got to meet “beautiful” Princess Diana three months before she married the throne’s heir.
READ MORE: Pensioner, 86, vows to 'flash his own crown jewels' to mark King Charles' Coronation
The power couple were visiting Pakuranga in New Zealand in April 1981 and it was a day Gina has never forgotten.
Playboy model Gina, now famous for her youthful looks, was just 11 at the time.
And speaking exclusively to Daily Star ahead of the King’s Coronation, she said: “I have a funny memory.
“Prince Charles and Lady Diana visited our oval and I got a chance to shake the Prince and Princesses hands.
“Before that Prince Charles rode my friends’ BMX bike around the oval in front of us smiling and laughing.
“They were actually very nice and took interest in us all, so that memory has stood out for me as a special moment in my life as a child.
“Charles actually came across as very cool because no one was expecting him to ride my classmates’ BMX.
“He asked politely if he could ride it and took the bike and rode it down the oval.”
Gina, who now lives in the Gold Coast, Australia, added: “I was so nervous I thought my heart was going to stop shaking their hands.
“They came across as just really easy going and cool as in hip with us kids, they were fun, friendly, happy and relaxed.
“Diana was childlike, having fun, she loved being around us kids, she was in her element.
“We all thought she was just so beautiful and we wanted to be a princess just like her when we grew up.”
The then Prince of Wales visited New Zealand and Australia on a tour in March and April of that year.
And although Gina said her encounter with him was indelible in her brain, it was later revealed that Charles had a difficult time Down Under.
In a handwritten note he sent to a friend, he wrote: “The real problem is keeping enthusiasm on each new day because I am beginning to get fed up of nonsensical rubbish I take all day and every day.
“If one more NZ child asks me what it’s like to be a prince I shall go demented.”
The famous letter was eventually sold at an auction.
But in a message to the King ahead of his big day on May 6, a grateful Gina said: “I wish Charles a happy and joyous reign and will be cheering him on in this special moment.
“I will be watching on the TV here in Australia and celebrating at the Langham Hotel with some girlfriends.”
READ NEXT:
Prince Harry to be 'helped by Meghan Markle's Coronation absence', says expert
Harry to be seated '10 rows back' at Coronation and will be 'in and out like a flash'
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle could be 'Hollywood equivalent of crypto', says critic
Brits refuse to call Camilla 'Queen' and want other title kept ahead of Coronation
Hidden 'anomalies' found on 'Stone of Destiny' to be used in King Charles' Coronation
Source: Read Full Article
