Tom Selleck recently shared a special moment he had with Princess Diana at a state dinner held at the White House in November 1985. Selleck was one of the three actors personally invited by Princess Diana to the event, which was in honor of her and then-Prince Charles. The star-studded guest list included President Ronald Reagan, first lady Nancy Reagan, Clint Eastwood, and John Travolta.
Upon meeting the royal couple, Selleck described Princess Diana as charming, graceful, and beautiful, while noting Prince Charles had a unique ability to make others feel important during their interactions.
After dinner, the guests moved to the East Room for music and dancing. President Reagan danced with Princess Diana, while Prince Charles danced with Nancy Reagan. John Travolta and Princess Diana also shared a dance, prompting a humorous incident where Selleck was asked to step in and dance with the princess to avoid rumors.
Selleck admitted to feeling nervous about his dancing skills but was relieved that the dance was a slow number. He described Princess Diana as lovely and shy, despite her conversational skills. Selleck's wife, Jillie Mack, also danced with Prince Charles during the event.
Reflecting on the evening, Selleck mentioned that Prince Charles thanked his wife for rescuing him on the dance floor, as Nancy Reagan's friends kept stepping on his toes. Selleck then got the opportunity to dance with Nancy, ending the night on a relaxed note as they enjoyed a song from the 1940s together.
Overall, the event was a memorable experience for Tom Selleck, who appreciated the chance to share a dance with Princess Diana and engage in light-hearted moments with the royal couple and other distinguished guests.