Tom Cruise turns 60: How he conquered Hollywood and won over the royal family

LONDON – Tom Cruise really does have the royal seal of approval.

Cruise turns 60. That’s right.

The Hollywood superstar is 60 but looks 35 up close. i should know I just sat down with Tom at Windsor Castle where, at the Queen’s request, he was hosting the brilliant royal event, A Gallop Through History.

In recent years, Tom Cruise has also completely reinvented his public persona, from eccentric and sometimes competitive to the consummate Hollywood leading man with timeless good looks and box office receipts to match.

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Stepping onto the grand platform at Windsor Castle and confronting the lady who has ruled the Commonwealth for the last 70 years, Tom admitted to a source that he was “nervous”.

“I really admire Queen Elizabeth,” said Tom. “We can all learn from her and she’s such a vibrant woman with a zest for life that’s really addictive Thankfully everything went well.” But when you look at who she’s met over the decades, you’re like, ‘Why did you ask me?'”

Tom proved to be a great and easy-going presenter and added that international glamor to the event that really helped the ratings skyrocket. However, Tom has had previous engagements to royals and this may be why he was invited by the Queen to host.

In 2017, Tom made a huge impression on the late Duke of Edinburgh. Both men were supporters of the Outward Bound Trust, an education charity that aims to improve the lives of children and young people through outdoor activities and learning. They attended a dinner at Buckingham Palace to honor the 75th anniversary of the UK-based organization.

And they hit it off like old pals, with Philip laughing out loud many times at the event, cementing his place in the royal circle. The Queen took note of this and kept it to herself for this mighty royal year.

Tom also became pals with the late Princess Diana when Tom was married to Nicole Kidman. The couple had met the princess at a screening of Far and Away in 1992, and Tom told me he was “devastated” by her death.

“She was a magical person and really enveloped you with her personality,” he said.

Diana also loved the film original Top Gun and often watched it on video with the two Princes William and Harry at Kensington Palace.

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Tom’s 60th birthday on July 3 marked an important milestone in an extraordinary life at the forefront of the film business. But the biggest question on everyone’s lips here in the UK recently was: have the Duchess of Cambridge and Tom Cruise broken royal protocol?

This was because the always gallant Tom helped the Duchess Catherine up the stairs as she ascended in towering glamorous heels.

As Tom pointed out: “It’s natural, isn’t it? And that’s what my mother taught me – be a gentleman and offer to help. It was a moment thing. And honestly, I didn’t see anything wrong with it, but we just giggled about it afterwards because I should have remembered.

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Speaking to Tom recently, he didn’t want to consider whether William and Catherine would attend his birthday celebration in the UK, but he hopes they will “if they could spare the time”.

Tom knows they have them to thank for the royal premiere of his new movie, which hit #1 worldwide.

“People love the British royals as much as I do and I am aware that they have been so focused on the event which I am so grateful and beyond happy for,” Tom told a source.

Tom has asked all guests not to give gifts as “I really have had enough. I mean I don’t need anything. So donations to my charities would be the thing I would appreciate the most and I check in with them all the time.”

Tom admitted 60 sounds like, “Wow, you know.” But as Tom hits that milestone this weekend, it’s clearly the start of something big, still the world’s #1 box office star even after all these years and now also with the royal seal of approval.

happy birthday