Non-monarchist Russell Crowe brands King Charles III a ‘good bloke’ ahead of his coronation

(Pictures: James Gourley/Getty Images for AFI/Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Hollywood star Russell Crowe has spoken out in support of King Charles III ahead of his coronation.

The Gladiator actor, 59, recalled the monarch’s ‘warmth’ when they met at the 2003 London premiere of Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.

Crowe, who claimed he is ‘not a monarchist’, also said the King went out of his way to be attentive to his then-pregnant wife Danielle Spencer, who he divorced in 2018.

‘I met the former Prince Charles at a Royal Premier of Master and Commander in London, 2003. Dani (Spencer) was 6 months pregnant with our first. We did the obligatory conga line of cast introductions,’ he tweeted.

“Then we sat with him for the film. The man who would be King was kind.

‘He was also funny. Deeply intelligent and good company, and gallant in his deference to Dani’s pregnancy. I’ll never forget the warmth in our last hand shake. (sic).’

The pair met during the premiere of Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (Picture: Richard Lewis/AFP via Getty Images)

Crowe praised the ‘warmth’ of the monarch who will be coronated this week (Picture: Pool Photograph/Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)

Crowe branded the King ‘deeply intelligent and good company’ (Picture: Pool Photograph/Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)

The Pope’s Exorcist actor, who is from New Zealand, branded the monarch a ‘good bloke’, before saying: ‘I don’t think any of us can really understand what that life of duty and expectation must feel like. He’s taking over the family business.”

Although he likes the monarch, Crowe – who shares 16-year-old Tennyson and 19-year-old Charles with his actress ex-spouse – admitted he struggled when it came to addressing the royals by their titles and confessed to calling Princes William and Harry ‘mate’ at the premiere.

He wrote: ‘In any of my meetings with Royalty, I haven’t yet been able to utter the ‘your highness’. It simply doesn’t come out of my mouth. It’s not in my DNA.’

While he has no doubt Charles will do ‘the very best job’ as sovereign, he does not see a need for a king.

He added: ‘I don’t really think we need a King, but I’m sure Charles III will do the very best job he can.’

The Gladiator actor said he struggled with the Royal titles (Picture: Dan Peled/Getty Images)

King Charles III will be coronated alongside his wife Queen Consort Camilla, 75, on Saturday, May 6.

The coronation ceremony will take place at Westminster Abbey with more than 2,000 people in attendance, including members of the Royal Family, dignitaries, and A-list stars.

A weekend of celebrations will take place, including a special Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle with performances from Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, Andrea Bocelli, and Freya Ridings.

Paloma Faith, Olly Murs, guitarist Steve Winwood, former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger, and pianist Lang Lang have also been added to the line-up alongside Pete Tong and his Ibiza Classics project, Nigerian singer-songwriter Tiwa Savage, and The Piano winner Lucy.

A series of pre-recorded sketches telling facts about the monarch will also be shown, with appearances from Tom Cruise, Sir Tom Jones, Dame Joan Collins, Bear Grylls, Oti Mabuse, and Winnie the Pooh.

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The monarch attended the premiere of one of Crowe’s films.