When Bond producer Albert R. Broccoli passed away in 1996, his subsequent memorial service in London began with a tribute from the then Prince Charles. It was a gesture that recognized Charles’ long standing support, interest and fondness for the Bond movies, their vital contribution to British film production, their charitable support of The Prince’s Trust and their Britannic part of the nation’s cultural landscape.
A patron of all five Bond film premieres in the 1980s and beyond, Prince Charles and Princess Diana brought the world’s media and its attentions to Bond. The greatest moment was possibly a December 1986 set visit to the Pinewood Studios shoot of The Living Daylights.
One of Princes Charles and Princess Diana’s first royal engagements as an engaged couple was to attend the London premiere of 1981’s For Your Eyes Only. Princess Margaret joined them and the new monarch has now the most attendances at any Bond premiere under his royal belt.
When stuntmen Simon Crane and Paul Weston inspired the Prince to ask a reluctant Princess Diana to smash a prop sugar glass bottle over the future King’s head, the royal gesture echoed across the globe’s newspapers. It also smashed the bottle over the bow of The Living Daylights as Timothy Dalton took to the Bond throne.
Not a stranger to a Roger Moore safari suit, ski suit and naval uniform, Charles is also a proud owner of many an Aston Martin and Bond merchandise. As Daniel Craig relinquished the 007 throne in No Time to Die, Charles was back on set – keenly meeting Pinewood staff, producers, the cast and the Astons.
When the film held its October 2021 premiere, Charles attended with the Queen Consort and the now Prince and Princess of Wales. The 007 tradition of parents and kids going to the cinema to see a new Bond film even extends to monarchs.
And with Charlie Higson’s new Bond novel casting King Charles III centre-stage in a clever coronation framed adventure, we are now fully in the Carolean era of On His Majesty’s Secret Service – with a new King, a new Prime Minister and a future new Bond. Maybe the two new incumbents will share some long awaited screen time together sometime soon. I recently talked to author Charlie Higson about King Charles and his starring role in a unique new addition to the literary 007’s timeline.
The sovereign and the spy are already a loyal pairing and Bond 26 will no doubt embrace a new King on both sides of the screen. After all, King Charles III’s mother was a leading Bond lady in 2012.
Bond save the King.
Although, is the new monarch a secret A View to a Kill fan?!
