Pat Boone: Meeting The Queen Was The ‘Most Embarrassing Moment’

The legendary singer Pat Boone has had many experiences in his life, but there’s one that still makes him cringe to this day, and that’s his second meeting with Queen Elizabeth back in 1962. 

Boone’s ‘Most Embarrassing Moment’

Back in 1962, Boone was in London for the Royal Film Performance, and he soon found himself face to face with the Queen. Though he had already given a royal performance for her four years before, he was still nervous to be around her, given the fact that she was the reigning monarch. 

“That was the most embarrassing moment of my life,” Boone, 87, recalled to Fox News. “I didn’t expect her to remember that we had met before. I just assumed she would have forgotten because she’s already had so many command performances since I first met her. But there I was in a long line with Peter Sellers, Claudia Cardinale, and Dany Robin.”

“Here comes the queen down the aisle – it was like running the gauntlet,” he added. “She was making quick pleasantries with people, some of whom she knew, some she didn’t. But they all entertained her and the family. I just knew to bow my head as she stood in front of me, say, ‘Your Majesty,’ and wait for her to extend her hand. I was not to extend mine, but if she extended hers, I could take her hand and answer whatever she wanted. But I had gotten a little fluttery, a little nervous, as she stood in front of me.”

Related: Pat Boone Destroys Modern Hollywood – “The whole thing is upside down.”

‘We’ve Met Before’

Boone went on to say that he bowed his head as he looked at the Queen, who said to him, “We’ve met before.”

“I just blurted out, ‘We did?!'” Boone remembered with a laugh. “What I meant to say was, ‘You remember that?’ But that’s how it came out. It was so embarrassing. Here was the queen of England reminding you that you’ve met before and your response was, ‘Really? When was that?’”

Boone has never forgotten that the Queen had pity on him by laughing in response, as he was grateful that she had a sense of humor about it.

“Of course, I corrected myself,” he continued. “I said, ‘I didn’t think you’d remember.’ She said, ‘Of course, of course, I do.’ She even referred back to that first meeting. I thought maybe she’d been briefed, but she did remember.”

Related: Pat Boone Explains Why Hollywood Conservatives Are Afraid to Speak Out

‘What Could Be More Embarrassing?’

“Princess Margaret, in particular, was a real fan. And I guess the queen mother was in tune with what was going on in the music world to some extent,” he concluded. “So that picture from that moment captures the most embarrassing moment of my life! What could be more embarrassing than the queen of England reminding you that you’ve met before and your response is ‘Really?’”

All these years later, the Queen is still on the throne at the age of 96, and Boone is still beloved by millions at the age of 87. What a fun recollection from Boone that says a lot about both him and the Queen!