Marilyn Monroe's Royal Encounter: The Untold Story

Back in 1956, London was absolutely captivated by the arrival of the legendary Marilyn Monroe. The Hollywood icon touched down in the UK to film The Prince and the Showgirl alongside the esteemed Sir Laurence Olivier. For four unforgettable months, the British press was glued to every move she made—whether she was stepping into the studio, enjoying a night out at the theater with her newlywed playwright husband Arthur Miller, or even meeting Queen Elizabeth II. It was a whirlwind of glamour and intrigue that the city hadn’t seen before.

In a newly released book, When Marilyn Met the Queen, author Michelle Morgan dives deep into this fascinating chapter of Marilyn’s life abroad. According to Morgan, who exclusively spoke with Closer, "Marilyn seemed genuinely content outside the studio. She connected with her fans, enjoyed watching cricket, took leisurely rides through the park, and even indulged in some retail therapy while exploring London." It paints a picture of a star who wasn’t just focused on the glitz and glamour but also embraced the everyday moments that came with her time in England.

At the time, Marilyn had just tied the knot with Arthur Miller, marking her third marriage. “They both envisioned their trip to England as a sort of honeymoon,” Morgan explains. “But reality hit hard. Marilyn had a demanding film to shoot, and the stress levels were through the roof.” It wasn’t exactly the romantic getaway they had hoped for, but it was an experience that would shape Marilyn in ways no one could have anticipated.

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The tension on set for The Prince and the Showgirl started almost immediately. Marilyn had purchased the rights to the play it was based on, The Sleeping Prince, through her fledgling production company, and Olivier agreed to produce and direct the film. However, their working relationship quickly soured. "The first issue arose when Olivier insisted on extensive rehearsals, something Marilyn absolutely detested," Morgan recounts. Adding fuel to the fire, Marilyn felt disrespected when the British acting legend made condescending remarks about her appearance. "When he suggested her teeth needed whitening, Marilyn began pushing back. She started showing up late, walking off set mid-day, or sometimes not showing up at all," Morgan explains.

Things got even more complicated when Olivier tried to block Marilyn from meeting Queen Elizabeth. "Marilyn was absolutely determined to meet the queen and repeatedly asked the publicist to arrange it," Morgan says. "But Olivier kept her request off the list of daily demands, seemingly trying to squash her hopes." It was clear that their professional relationship was strained, but Marilyn's determination to meet the queen couldn’t be stopped.

Marilyn Monroe’s Dream Comes True: Meeting Queen Elizabeth

Though Marilyn never got the chance to enjoy a cozy tea with Queen Elizabeth — her ultimate dream — she was thrilled when she was invited to meet the monarch at a Royal Command Performance in October. "Marilyn, along with other female celebrities, was instructed to dress conservatively, but she chose a daring low-cut gold gown that defied the rules," Morgan notes. Her bold fashion choice caused quite a stir that evening, but Queen Elizabeth remained unfazed. "She likely didn’t bat an eye. After all, the queen was a woman of the world," Morgan adds.

During their brief but memorable encounter on the receiving line, Marilyn and Queen Elizabeth had a delightful conversation. "They discussed being neighbors," Morgan reveals, "since Marilyn lived in Englefield Green and the queen resided in Windsor, just a short distance away." Marilyn also had the pleasure of meeting Princess Margaret, the queen's sister, during the event. It was a moment that would stay with Marilyn for the rest of her life.