

If you come face-to-face with a member of the royal family and don’t instantly lose your cool, did you even really meet them? Take Reese Witherspoon, for example, who might be one of Hollywood’s most cherished stars but who still melted into a puddle of feels when she was lucky enough to meet the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, back in 2011. Reese was among the guests at Kate and Prince William’s LA fundraiser for his Tusk Trust wildlife charity, as part of the couple’s first official tour following their royal wedding.
Sharing for the first time how the memorable moment really went down, Reese has admitted that she was “relatively immune from the obsession with the royals”—until the day that Kate Middleton walked into her life. Kate, who is given a whole page in Reese’s new book, Whiskey in a Teacup, is described by the actress as an “honorary Southern icon," so she should probably trade ‘Duchess of Cambridge’ immediately for that new, official title.
Recalling how it all came about, Reese wrote: "The scream that issued from my lips upon receiving [the invitation]—you would have thought I was going to die. I wake up early, mind you, but on that day I was up at 4am doing my hair. That's early, even for me. 'I've never seen you this excited,' my husband said. He wasn't kidding.”
Fully acknowledging that she failed to play it cool in any way, shape, or form, Reese continued: "Jim took pictures of me in the car. You can see rays of happiness shooting out of my face. I love Kate Middleton that much. And she did not disappoint!"
But what’s it really like to be in the company of Kate Middleton herself? “She was just lovely and warm, elegant and composed,” Reese revealed. “She also told a joke, and I immediately fell under her spell. She's just as magnificent as she seems to be. She's a very compassionate, socially conscious, deeply caring person.”
Continuing her endless praise for the Duchess, Witherspoon added: "It takes a very special person to decide to commit to that kind of life, to choose to be under public scrutiny every moment. Now that she's in that position, her entire life is in service, forever. I am so in awe of that kind of dedication."
Not that she freaked out or anything. No biggie, right Reese?
RELATED STORY
Marie Claire Newsletter
Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!
Lucy Wood spends most of her time writing about celebrity news, reading books, and waiting for the glorious day that she have enough millions for a pet sloth. She also has a YouTube channel on the go where she pretends to know things about fashion and life advice.
-
One of King Charles’ Siblings Was Adamant That Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Be Evicted from Frogmore Cottage
Meanwhile, another sibling was “uneasy” about the decision.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Despite the Royal Family’s Disdain for Princess Diana When She Was Alive, It Regularly Pushed Both Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle to Dress Like Her, New Book Claims
“During the past 13 years, Diana cosplay has become a royal staple.”
By Rachel Burchfield
-
King Charles Employs 28 Personal Household Staff Members That Have to Do Some Really Weird Job Duties
Talk about “other duties as assigned.”
By Rachel Burchfield
-
If You Want to Work for the Prince and Princess of Wales, You Have To Pass a Truly Bizarre Test First
We, um, were not expecting this.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Prince William is Jealous of Prince Harry’s Ability to “Break Away” from the Royal Establishment, Omid Scobie Writes
“It’s easy to see why William’s fury is bubbling to the top.”
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Prince William and Prince Harry Will Probably Only See One Another for One Occasion Henceforth
And it’s not an occasion anyone relishes.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Apparently King Charles and Prince William Aren’t as Close as We’ve Assumed They Were Since Queen Elizabeth’s Death
Instead of working together for the good of the Crown, Omid Scobie writes that the two are more interested in individual success.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
In Between a Rock and a Hard Place, King Charles Might Have the Solution to See Both of His Sons Over the Holidays
Here’s what we know about Prince William, Prince Harry, and Christmas at Sandringham.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Prince William and Princess Kate Showed How in Love They Are With Affectionate Moment During State Visit
So beautiful.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Prince William Just Dethroned This Celebrity for the Title of “World’s Sexiest Bald Man 2023”
The methodology to choose this winner is truly mind-blowing.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
A Very Bold 11-Year-Old Boy Asked Prince William How Much Money Was in His Bank Account
William’s response was nothing if not interesting.
By Rachel Burchfield