Michael Jackson's royal fear

Dec 1, 2006, 13:20 GMT

11/15/2006 - Queen Elizabeth II - State Opening of Parliment Westminster 2006 - Parliament in Westminster - London, England © Photorazzi

Michael Jackson is terrified of meeting Britain's Queen Elizabeth.

The eccentric singer is so nervous about coming face-to-face with the monarch that he turned down an invitation to attend the London royal premiere of the latest James Bond flick, 'Casino Royale', despite being a huge 007 fan.

US entertainment columnist Liz Smith said: "Michael Jackson loves James Bond movies, despite the fact that they are rife with violence and adult sex.

"Usually Michael prefers cartoons or Disney fare.

"He was in London when 'Casino Royale' had its royal premiere. But he didn't go. Jackson said he was too nervous to be near the queen."

Jackson asked organisers to send him a DVD of the movie instead, which he watched in his hotel room.

The 80-year-old queen is also a big Bond fan and she braved chronic back pain to attend the glitzy red carpet screening.

Her Majesty attended the event in a beautiful pink ball gown encrusted with crystals.

The queen - who met with the cast and crew of the action flick - was accompanied by her husband Prince Philip who had dressed accordingly for the premiere of the suave spy film in a Bond-style black tuxedo.

(C) BANG Media International