Inside Tom Cruise's relationship with Prince William and Kate Middleton, and why he loves the UK so much
Tom Cruise reportedly considers himself "an honorary Brit" and is enjoying his newfound friendship with Prince William and Kate Middleton.
The once reclusive Hollywood A-lister is popping up everywhere in Britain, from the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations to the women's final at Wimbledon, concerts by Adele and The Rolling Stones, as well as cheering for his pal Lewis Hamilton at last weekend's British Grand Prix. A source close to the actor recently said that the 'Top Gun: Maverick'' star, 60, has "fallen in love with everything about the UK."
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Cruise celebrated his 60th birthday at Soho Farmhouse in the Cotswolds last weekend with some of his closest pals across the Atlantic, including David Beckham, Gordon Ramsay, James Corden, and his 'Mission: Impossible' co-star Simon Pegg. However, perhaps his most extraordinary friendship is with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The Hollywood megastar grabbed headlines for his chivalry when he took Kate's hand to guide her upstairs on the red carpet at the premiere of 'Top Gun: Maverick' in Leicester Square in May.
While some critics noted that the gesture was "overly familiar," sources told the Daily Mail that the actor is a "huge fan" of the Cambridges, adding that their friendship is "warm and professional." The insider also claimed that Will and Kate themselves encouraged Cruise to be included in the opening night of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations last month. Meanwhile, Cruise is understood to have personally invited the Cambridges to an early preview of the new Top Gun movie at a cinema in Leicester Square last October, when the first tapes of the film were sent over from the US. "It has turned into quite a special friendship," the source continued. "He was so happy to be involved in the Jubilee proceedings. There was chatter that Kate and William asked him to do it. It wouldn't be surprising because he adores the Royal Family."
Cruise's love affair with the UK reportedly began when he moved to the country shortly before the pandemic hit to film back-to-back 'Mission: Impossible' movies. Filming for the franchise's latest installment is due to start this week, this time in the serene Lake District, which is one of the star's favorites owing to his love for the British countryside. According to reports, he plans to be in Britain until the beginning of next year.
Cruise recently sold his $39million Beverly Hills mansion and moved into a penthouse in Clearwater, Florida, in a building owned by the controversial Church of Scientology, of which he is reportedly a member. However, the star has since appeared "rudderless," per a source in his professional circle. "The thing about Tom in Hollywood is that you never saw him out and about. He was almost a recluse," the Los Angeles-based insider told the Daily Mail. "He'd do the red carpet to promote his movies but I only ever saw him with family members or staff. It always struck me he didn't appear to have any friends outside his family and church. At events, he was this little figure inside a circle of bodyguards. He was extremely professional but withdrawn." The source continued, "Seeing him now is a total transformation. He's genuinely happy, he is out all the time and he doesn't have an entourage of security around him like he did in the States. He's posing for selfies and he has a freedom in the UK I don't think he ever had here."
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It's worth noting that Cruise's life in the UK is a far cry from the days he kept himself isolated in his Hollywood estate high in the hills above LA. Now, he lives in a six-bedroom Knightsbridge penthouse apartment overlooking Hyde Park, where he is often spotted enjoying early morning jogs with his personal trainer. "He's never recognized," a source close to him told the newspaper. "He wants to fit in, to look like any other local going for a run. He loves that he can enjoy the park without anyone realizing who he is. That's something that wouldn't happen for him in Los Angeles. Tom can blend in, be one of the boys." Another source insisted, "You have to understand he's spending most of his time in the UK now. At first, it was for work but now it's for pleasure," adding, "He considers himself an honorary Brit."