Tom Cruise gushes over first meeting with 'down-to-earth' Princess Diana: 'She was like William and Kate'

Tom Cruise has emotionally recalled his first meeting with the 'brilliant' Princess Diana, noting that the late 'People's Princess' shared the same 'down-to-earth' qualities as Prince William and Kate Middleton. On Sunday, the 64-year-old actor travelled to France as part of a promotional tour for his new film, Digger. During the visit, he appeared as a guest on Laurent Delahousse's show to promote the movie, which hits theatres in both the UK and the US on October 2. In the interview, the Top Gun star discussed his latest role while looking back on the defining moments of his 42-year career, as reported by French celebrity magazine, Gala. A particularly cherished memory was his first encounter with Princess Diana, accompanied by his then-wife Nicole Kidman at the 1992 debut of their film Far And Away The actor fondly remembered the late royal, describing her as a 'brilliant and intelligent woman', adding that getting to meet and know her had been 'a joy'. Tom Cruise recalled a particularly cherished memory in his 42-year career: his first encounter with Princess Diana, accompanied by his then-wife Nicole Kidman at the 1992 debut of their film Far And Away (pictured) The actor fondly remembered the late royal, describing her as a 'brilliant and intelligent woman', adding that getting to meet and know her had been 'a joy' In August 1997, Diana tragically passed away in a car crash. Both Cruise and Kidman (pictured) attended her funeral at Westminster Abbey in London, along with Tom Hanks and more of the royal's famous friendsThe pair shared a second encounter when Diana received a special invitation to the set of his blockbuster Mission: Impossible movie in 1995 ahead of its release in 1996. According to her former royal chef Darren McGrady, it was after this meeting Diana – who was 5'10" – had returned to the kitchen and joked about not being able to date Cruise due to his 5'7" height, adding: 'That's another one off the list - he's too short!' Just one year later, in August 1997, she tragically passed away in a car crash. Both Cruise and Kidman attended her funeral at Westminster Abbey in London, along with Tom Hanks and more of the royal's famous friends.Further reflecting on his meeting with Diana, Cruise noted that she shared the same grounded qualities as her son, William, and his wife, Kate. He remarked: 'She was like William and Kate: approachable, down-to-earth.' During the London premiere of Digger on September 22, Cruise reunited with his longtime friends, the Prince and Princess of Wales. All eyes were on the actor as he broke royal protocol and guided Kate down the steps of Leicester Square's Odeon Luxe while the Prince of Wales walked beside her. Cruise is indeed among the notable figures who enjoy close relationships with members of the British Royal Family. Further reflecting on his meeting with Diana, Cruise (pictured, right) noted that she shared the same grounded qualities as her son, William (left), and his wife, Kate (centre) Tom Cruise first broke royal protocol when he guided Kate along the red carpet by taking her hand at the Top Gun: Maverick Royal Film Performance at Leicester Square on May 19, 2022The Mission Impossible star has enjoyed a private afternoon tea with the late Queen Elizabeth II, bonded over aviation with Prince William and often showed his chivalrous manners towards the Princess of Wales.He has also had starring roles in the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, as well as the Coronation Concert – and has even said King Charles can be his 'wingman'.Cruise has continued to bond with members of the Royal Family with a love of flying over the years – not least, Her late Majesty the Queen.In the late monarch's final weeks at Windsor Castle before travelling to Balmoral where she died, she invited Cruise for tea at the royal residence.She was said to have been disappointed that she had not met the star during her Platinum Jubilee celebrations, which had taken place earlier that summer.Despite not seeing the Queen during the week of celebrations, Cruise appeared in a segment at the Jubilee, and said of her: 'She's a woman I greatly admire. She has tremendous dignity and I admire her devotion. What she has accomplished has been historic.'Insiders said the pair 'really hit it off' during their meeting and the late Queen 'loved seeing him' – and she even allowed him to land his helicopter on the lawn of the Castle.Cruise was even invited back for lunch but the Queen sadly passed away before he could return. The Hollywood star, who had been filming his Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning film in the UK, said: 'She's just a woman that I greatly admire. I think she is someone who has tremendous dignity and I admire her devotion.'What she has accomplished has been historic. I just remember always as a kid seeing photos of her.'