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Tom Cruise’s enthusiastic comments about Princess Kate have drawn attention, with royal experts suggesting his remarks went beyond the usual compliments exchanged between celebrities and members of the Royal Family.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, both 44, joined the Hollywood star at the London world premiere of his new film Digger on September 22. Days later, while attending the movie’s Los Angeles premiere, the 64-year-old actor spoke warmly about spending time with William and Kate and offered particularly glowing praise for the Princess.
Reflecting on watching the film alongside the royal couple, Cruise said: “It was just so fun sitting there watching them watch it and for them to be part of it. I have so much respect for them, you know, they’re amazing people and how dedicated they are to their country and also… what they give to the world. They’re just beautiful people and fun, very funny.”
Cruise then singled out Kate’s personality, highlighting both her humor and intelligence.
“She’s got a great sense, incredible sense of humor,” he said of the Princess. “I mean, obviously very intelligent and fun.”
Cruise continued his enthusiastic praise of the Prince and Princess of Wales, describing the couple’s presence and appearance in glowing terms.
“They’re so charismatic and so elegant,” he said before turning his attention to Kate’s premiere look. “That dress that she was wearing? Stunning.”
The actor then jokingly congratulated William on his choice of wife, adding with a smile: “William did well. Way to go, smart choice. Yeah, I gotta give it to William. Way to go. Smart choice.”
Cruise’s remarks soon attracted widespread attention, but royal commentators suggested there was more behind the reaction than a famous Hollywood star simply paying Kate a flattering compliment. They argued that his words also highlighted the distinctive position the Princess has established for herself within the modern monarchy.
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Royal expert Christopher Andersen suggested that Tom Cruise’s admiration for Princess Kate reflects the strong position she has built within the Royal Family, particularly because of her lasting popularity and reputation for largely avoiding controversy.
Andersen argued that Kate’s public appeal should not be overlooked when considering why she attracts such enthusiastic attention from prominent figures.
“Do not underestimate the importance of her immense popularity,” he said. “Kate Middleton is universally adored, and, unlike most celebrities, is virtually untouched by scandal. Like everybody else on the planet, Tom Cruise certainly wouldn’t mind having some of that fairy dust rub off on him.”
Andersen, author of the 2026 biography Kate!: The Courage, Grace, and Power of the Woman Who Will Be Queen, also suggested that Kate’s appearance and widely admired sense of style were likely factors in Cruise’s glowing reaction.
“If she wasn’t movie-star gorgeous and stunningly fashionable, I don’t think Tom Cruise would be drooling all over her,” he said.
Royal commentator Amanda Matta offered a similar interpretation to Andersen, suggesting that Tom Cruise’s remarks also point to the significant role Kate plays in shaping the public image of the Prince and Princess of Wales.
“While this was definitely an easy sound-bite for Cruise to pull out, it also happens to be true,” Matta told Fox News Digital. “I think what Cruise is picking up on with this remark is that Kate is the entire reason the Wales brand works.”
Matta went on to suggest that Kate’s background outside the aristocracy has ultimately strengthened her ability to connect the monarchy with today’s public.
“She wasn’t born into nobility, but that worked in her favor to help the Palace connect with the modern public,” Matta continued. “Kate’s grounded humor and elegance are both central to William’s public image now, and the public’s warmth toward her is one of the monarchy’s most valuable assets.”
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams offered a similar view, arguing that Cruise was simply expressing sentiments already shared by a large section of the public.
“He’s just saying what most people think,” Fitzwilliams told Fox News Digital. “She is exquisite, her intelligence, humor and dress sense are part of her personality, which has given them both a worldwide aura as a couple. This is of enormous help to Britain, as soft power is so significant and also to the charities they both do so much for.”
Royal experts also pointed out that Cruise’s latest comments about Kate may carry additional significance because his connection with the British Royal Family stretches back several decades.
Christopher Andersen recalled an amusing story involving Princess Diana and Cruise’s then-wife, Nicole Kidman. According to Andersen, Diana joked about the situation with a friend, saying: “Diana joked that she wouldn’t mind if Kidman were out of the way. ‘Nicole kept giving me dagger eyes,’ Diana told a friend, ‘as if to say keep your hands off my handsome husband!’”
Following their initial encounter, Cruise and Diana reportedly formed a friendship. Their connection continued in 1995 when the Hollywood actor invited the Princess and her sons, William and Prince Harry, to Pinewood Studios outside London, where they visited the set of the first Mission: Impossible film.
Royal expert Neil Sean later wrote in 2022 that Cruise was “devastated” following Diana’s death in a car crash in August 1997, when she was 36.
Reflecting on the late Princess, Cruise told Sean: “She was a magical person and really engulfed you with her personality.”
Cruise and Nicole Kidman were among the well-known figures who attended Princess Diana’s funeral on September 6, 1997, joining those who gathered to pay their respects following her death.
Years later, Cruise developed a friendship with Diana’s eldest son, Prince William. Ahead of the 2022 release of Top Gun: Maverick, the actor arranged a private screening of the sequel for William and Kate after discovering that the Prince, a former Royal Air Force pilot, was a major admirer of the original Top Gun movie.
Cruise subsequently invited the Prince and Princess of Wales to the film’s London premiere, where the trio appeared together on the red carpet.
Speaking about his connection with William at the time, Cruise told PA News Agency that they had “a lot in common,” adding: “We both love England, and we’re both aviators. We both love flying.”
The Hollywood star’s royal connections have extended to other major events. He participated in Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations and later appeared during King Charles III’s coronation concert in 2023.
Reflecting on Cruise’s longstanding association with the monarchy, Andersen observed: “Cruise, perhaps more than most Hollywood stars, has had a fairly up close and personal relationship with the royal family.”
Having seen Princess Diana’s remarkable connection with the public and later watched Kate establish her own position within the monarchy, Andersen suggested there are understandable reasons behind Cruise’s admiration for the Princess of Wales.
“Obviously Kate is meeting, if not transcending, the public’s inevitable expectations based on her Diana-like approachability,” he said.
Royal expert Hilary Fordwich also argued that Cruise’s comments captured many of the characteristics that have contributed to Kate’s widespread popularity.
“His remark managed to sum up what is so immensely universally appealing about her, that she is dignified, discreet, elegant, intelligent and poised all whilst being wonderfully warm as well as interested in others, so authentically,” Fordwich told Fox News Digital.
She suggested Cruise’s reference to Kate’s humor also reflected the Princess’s approachable public manner and the contrast it provides with more traditional perceptions of royal life.
“It was also no doubt reference to her affability, regarding her sense of humor and that she’s so accessible versus the outdated image of a formal royal court,” Fordwich added. “He also managed to keep the focus on her service versus any sort of celebrity status.”
According to Fordwich, Cruise’s previous connection with Diana gives his praise of Kate and William additional significance.
“He’s associating the Waleses with Diana’s extraordinary public magnetism, the most beneficial aspect of her legacy, her accessibility and emotional connection with all of whom she met.” Fordwich said.
