It’s been two months since Queen Elizabeth passed away suddenly at the age of 96 after a record-breaking 70 years on the British throne, but she is still being mourned by millions of people around the world to this day.
In a new interview, “Crocodile Dundee” himself Paul Hogan, 83, is opening up about meeting the Queen many years ago, and he’s revealing why she had an apology for him during their encounter. He’s also given an update about his own health that will undoubtedly have some fans praying for him.
Australian comedian, Paul Hogan, meeting the Queen. 1980 Most Australian ever? #HistoryInPictures pic.twitter.com/Kda0zpVvWN
— Museum Facts (@museum_facts) January 6, 2017
Hogan Meets The Queen – She Apologizes To Him
Daily Mail reported that Hogan met the Queen back in 1980 at the Sydney Opera House after he performed in the Royal Charity Concert. He received backlash at the time for meeting the Queen while he wore a cut off flannel shirt, stubby shorts and footy socks, with some thinking he was dressed far too casually.
“I love that shot,” Hogan said as he looked at a photo of this meeting. “I got a lot of flack over that but the Queen didn’t mind.”
Instead of chastising Hogan for his choice of outfit, the Queen apologized to him after she “won” a prize to go to his house for a dinner.
“The show we did at the Opera House for entertaining her, part of the thing I did was to pretend to draw the lucky seat prize,” Hogan recalled. “I drew two names out, which obviously was the Queen and Philip, and said the prize that they’d won was dinner at my place, and told them how to get there, what bus to catch and all that kind of stuff – was all funny.”
“But when I met her, she then leaned over and said, ‘I’m sorry dear, I don’t think we’ll be able to make dinner,’ which is great, she’s got a sense of humor,” he continued.
Australian entertainers Paul Hogan and Olivia Newton-John greet Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, Sydney 1980 pic.twitter.com/M9SkdNVQXP
— Canberra Insider (@CanberraInsider) July 13, 2018
Related: Queen Elizabeth Created Surprising Friendship With Tom Cruise Weeks Before Her Death
Hogan’s Health Struggles
In this same interview, Hogan admitted that he’s been struggling with his health in recent years and has lost a lot of weight. The former Crocodile Dundee star went so far as to say that he is being “held together by a string.”
Hogan went on to explain that while he was healthy and “fit” through the age of 79, he started to have physical problems rapidly after he turned 80 three years ago.
“I had a problem on the aorta and the kidney and the treatment fixed it but it shrunk me,” he said, adding that in his 70s, he’d “still take out most 40-year-olds, then I turned 80 and there’s a saying that turning 80’s not for sissies because things start to fall apart but, no, I can’t complain.”
#EXCLUSIVE: Paul Hogan on fame.
Hoges reveals he enjoys being 'unknown' after his long career.
TONIGHT on A Current Affair, see the full chat with the legendary entertainer.#9ACA | Watch LIVE 7pm pic.twitter.com/KcvkqKVJXY
— A Current Affair (@ACurrentAffair9) November 7, 2022
Hogan Desperately Misses Australia
Hogan is currently promoting his new book “Australia According to Hoges,” which he describes as a “love letter to Down Under.” While Hogan misses his native Australia dearly, he feels that he can’t leave his current home in California because he does not want to leave behind the son he shares with his ex-wife and former Crocodile Dundee co-star Linda Kozlowski.
“I’m not in the place I’m meant to be, but I’m not allowed to complain about anything,” Hogan said, according to The Mail. “I’ve had such a gifted life. I’ve had so many wonderful things happen to me without deserving them so I shouldn’t complain but, yeah, ideally I’d rather be back in Sydney because I miss the rest of my family there.”
#EXCLUSIVE: Paul Hogan like you've never seen him before.
TONIGHT on A Current Affair, Hoges talks health scares, controversies, Australia and more with Tracy Grimshaw.#9ACA | Watch LIVE 7pm pic.twitter.com/QD8tu1FE0g
— A Current Affair (@ACurrentAffair9) November 7, 2022
Though it’s sad to see that Hogan is struggling right now, we’re glad to hear him opening up about his past, including his fun story about the late Queen that showcases her sense of humor. Please join us in saying a prayer for Hogan’s health in the months and years to come.
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