This Morning chef Rustie Lee has disclosed what Princess Anne remarked when the duo encountered each other. The television cook and Princess Royal crossed paths at the Royal Night of 100 Stars in 1985.
Rustie, who gained prominence on TV-am during the 1980s, performed What I'll Do and Always at the televised charity event for Save the Children at the National Theatre. Anne, 75, backed the occasion as the charity's president. Following the performance, Rustie, who maintains she was the sole performer to sing alongside the orchestra, insisted the audience were astonished to discover her vocal abilities beyond cooking.
Penning her account in Best magazine, she revealed they "only saw me as Rustie the chef in those days". Her musical prowess appeared to surprise the Princess Royal equally.
Rustie continued: "And when I met Princess Anne afterwards, she said to me: 'I didn't realise you could sing.'
"And I thought, 'Oh my goodness, I didn't realise you knew me,' which was rather lovely. I was fortunate enough to meet Anne again in Birmingham at the Alexandra Theatre years after that, and she remembered me."
Rustie recalls having a third meeting with Anne during the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. She mentions being aboard a bus during the procession when she gestured towards Princess Anne who was accompanying the Royal Family.
She suspects she witnessed the princess returning her wave. She describes it as a "lovely" acknowledgement from a Royal recognised for her straightforward approach. Rustie went on to explain that singing in front of the crowd outside Buckingham Palace was "phenomenal", summing up the experience as "something else".
The 76-year-old has graced numerous television programmes over the decades. She worked as a chef and culinary specialist on the 1983 iteration of Good Morning Britain until 1989, making a comeback two years following her exit.
She has also featured in programmes including Who's Doing the Dishes and Celebrity Big Brother before establishing herself as a familiar presence on This Morning.
Her culinary journey started as a child when she would assist her parents preparing curry patties in their family takeaway. She trained at the College of Food in Birmingham to qualify as a master baker.
She maintains that food has remained central to her profession even whilst she was performing across the nation as a vocalist. Princess Anne isn't the sole celebrity Rustie has met throughout her career either.
She disclosed that legendary pugilist Muhammad Ali once visited her establishment. She characterised the sporting icon as "more than a dream dinner guest" when questioned about the encounter.
Rustie claims over 2,000 individuals gathered outside the restaurant whilst Ali consumed his meal. She described the occasion as "phenomenal".
