Jamie Lee Curtis has shared a moving story about how she came within minutes of meeting Princess Diana on the 28th anniversary of her tragic death.
In a heartfelt Instagram post on Sunday, the Halloween star, 66, revealed that the late royal was scheduled to visit the set of Fierce Creatures in 1997, the follow-up to A Fish Called Wanda.
At the time, the cast and crew were filming deep in the woods at Pinewood Studios when Curtis stepped away for a short break.
‘I jumped in a golf cart and drove the mile back to the dressing room block to use the restroom,’ she wrote.
But in the few minutes she was gone, Diana had arrived on set with her young sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.
‘My driver started banging on the door, saying that she had arrived with her sons, and I jumped into the golf cart, and by the time I got back, she was walking away,’ Curtis explained.
Jamie Lee Curtis has shared a moving story about how she came within minutes of meeting Princess Diana on the 28th anniversary of her death; seen in January 2025
Although she had missed the chance to meet the princess in person, Curtis quickly wrote a letter expressing her admiration and had it sent to Kensington Palace. To her astonishment, a reply came back the very next day.
‘[She was] thanking me for writing and understanding, of course, nature calling as it happens to her all the time, and that she looked forward to meeting,’ Curtis recalled.
But their meeting was never to be. Just weeks later, Princess Diana was killed in a car crash in Paris at the age of 36, alongside her partner Dodi Fayed and driver Henri Paul.
Curtis said she processed the devastating news through the lens of a book on insight meditation she had been reading at the time, which suggested that at the end of life, people often ask themselves two questions: Did I learn to live wisely? Did I love well?
‘I immediately thought about Princess Diana and her learning to live wisely,’ Curtis wrote, praising how the princess confronted personal struggles openly, demonstrated compassion and devoted herself to humanitarian causes.
‘She loved them in a way a royal person never had and she really loved the world and so she did love well,’ she added, referencing the iconic image of Diana stretching out her arms to embrace her sons after time apart.
‘Even though that day, this day, I’m still moved by her and her grace and courage, I’m also comforted in knowing that she lived a mindful, wise, loving life.’
Curtis has previously reflected on the missed encounter, admitting it left a lasting impression.
In a heartfelt Instagram post on Sunday, the Halloween star, 66, revealed that the late royal was scheduled to visit the set of Fierce Creatures in 1997, the follow-up to A Fish Called Wanda
But in the few minutes she was gone, Diana had arrived on set with her young sons, Prince William and Prince Harry; seen in 1995
Appearing on Apple Fitness+’s Time to Walk, she revealed the exact wording of the note she sent to Diana after their near-miss.
‘I’m so sorry we didn’t get to meet. I was very much looking forward to it as I admire you greatly. Unfortunately, nature called, and they don’t give me many breaks, so I chose nature over you, not knowing that you were going to arrive right at that moment. I’m so sorry and just think you’re great,’ she wrote.
To her surprise, Diana wrote back with warmth and humor.
Curtis, who kept the letter, read it aloud to listeners: ‘I’m so sorry I didn’t get to meet you, also. I admire you, and I totally understand when nature calls. Of course you should choose that. I hope that we will have an opportunity in our lives to meet. Best wishes always,’ the princess allegedly replied.
