Christopher Biggins, the 76-year-old showbiz icon, has opened up about an unforgettable encounter with the late Princess Diana that still resonates in his memory today. This special "date" took place during a performance by Liza Minnelli at London's prestigious Albert Hall and was recounted during Biggins's guest appearance on the Suddenly Single podcast.
Biggins, who has built a celebrated career with appearances in films like The Rocky Horror Picture Show and reality shows such as I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, initially thought he was merely accompanying a mystery celebrity. It wasn’t until he arrived at the venue that he learned he was to escort none other than Princess Diana.
Recalling the evening, Biggins said, "Liza rang me and she was doing a wonderful show at the Albert Hall. It was a one-woman show but she used women who were planted in the audience." This secretive arrangement meant they had to wait by the side of the stage until it was their moment to take their front-row seats, with Biggins noting that crowd excitement could cause an overwhelming scene if Diana was spotted too early.
While they waited, Biggins began a light conversation with the princess about a beloved photograph of her with her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. He referenced this iconic image by saying, "I said 'I've just seen that wonderful picture of you on Britannia where you're kneeling down with your arms wide open and your boys running towards you.'" Diana responded with genuine warmth, telling him, "You've got to remember they're the most important things in my life,” a statement that left a profound impact on Biggins.
Throughout their exchanges, the topic of Diana’s life and choices came up. Biggins candidly reflected, “She made lots of mistakes but her biggest mistake was falling in love with her husband,” a sentiment that echoes the challenges Diana faced during her time in the royal spotlight. He expressed his belief that the rumors about Diana's intentions to marry Dodi Fayed were exaggerated, stating, “I'm sure she was just having a fun summer and letting her hair down she wasn't going to stay with him. It was a fling; she wouldn't do that to the royal family.”
Biggins went on to imply that familial connections influenced Diana's choices, pointing out that Prince Philip "hated" Mohammed Al-Fayed, suggesting this would prevent Diana from marrying his son even if she had entertained the idea. "[Princess Diana] was just having fun,” Biggins remarked, underscoring a light-hearted perspective of her time spent with Dodi.
Despite having a rich network of friends that includes the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dame Joan Collins, and Liza Minnelli, Biggins expressed a sense of frustration over not being honored with any recognition himself. “I've got nothing,” he sighed, “It's disgusting. I suppose I must have raised something like £50million for charity over the years...but it's who you know, I think.” Biggins's philanthropy is certainly notable, yet it seems to have not translated into official accolades.
In conclusion, Christopher Biggins's poignant recollections of his time with Princess Diana provide insights not only about her personal struggles as a royal but also offer a glimpse into the camaraderie shared among those in the entertainment industry. His narrative portrays Diana as a devoted mother who, despite her royal duties, cherished her connection with her sons above all else.
