Patrick Stewart reveals King Charles is a secret fan of Star Trek after meeting him ‘several times’ over the years

Sir Patrick Stewart has said he believes King Charles is a big fan of the Star Trek franchise.

The actor, 83, who plays Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation, believes Charles is a fan after chats they have had over the years.

Charles, 74, was just 17 years old when the original Star Trek series debuted in 1966 starring William Shatner and Leonard Nemoy.

In his new memoir Making It So, Patrick writes: ‘I am convinced King Charles is a Star Trek fan. I’ve met him several times when he was the Prince of Wales and, though he never broached the topic, I got a sense he was familiar with the show.’

It appears Patrick’s suspicions are correct as Charles attended the 1996 premire of Star Trek: First Contact and requested Marina Sirtis, who played Deanna Troi, accompany him. 

Trekkie: Sir Patrick Stewart has said he believes King Charles is a big fan of the Star Trek franchise

Role: The actor, 83, who plays Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation, believes Charles is a fan after chats they have had over the years (pictured on the show in 1990)

However, King Charles’ mother Elizabeth II does not appear to have shared her son’s love for the sci-fi series.

In his book, Patrick recalled the moment the late Queen knighted him in 2010: ‘She was as gracious as I had imagined she would be, though I am not entirely sure if she knew who I was.’

It comes after Patrick confessed he nearly turned down his iconic lead role in Star Trek since he had ‘theatre commitments’. 

During an appearance on This Morning in March, he said: ‘I was visiting California giving lectures and talking at universities and I got call from my Hollywood agent who I’d never met.

‘He said, “I’ve got two questions… what were you doing at UCLA last night and why would Gene want to see you this morning?”

‘Back then, it seemed improbable and unlikely. It was a six year contract. I said, “No, I have theatre commitments. My agent said, “You’d be lucky to make it through the first year.”

‘I quickly found the experiences I had at the Royal Shakespeare Company were perfect and ideal for putting on the captain’s uniform and commanding the enterprise.’

The Los Angeles Times had called the Yorkshire-native an ‘unknown British Shakespearean actor’ when he was cast in Star Trek: The Next Generation, which ran between 1987 and 1994.

In his new memoir, Patrick writes: ‘I’ve met him several times when he was the Prince of Wales and, though he never broached the topic, I got a sense he was familiar with the show’

‘It seemed improbable and unlikely!’ Sir Patrick previously confessed he nearly turned down his iconic lead role in Star Trek since he had ‘theatre commitments’

He still plays the role in the Paramount+ series, Star Trek: Picard, in which he is also executive producer.

It’s been well over 35 years since the four-time Emmy nominee originated the role of Picard on CBS series Star Trek: The Next Generation, which aired for seven seasons spanning 1987-1994.

The Next Generation cast Jonathan Frakes (Riker), Gates McFadden (Crusher), LeVar Burton (La Forge), Michael Dorn (Worf), and Marina Sirtis (Troi) returns as well as Jeri Ryan (Seven of Nine) and Michelle Hurd (Musiker).

Season three’s villain is Captain Vadic, the commander of the Shrike, played by Tony-winning powerhouse Amanda Plummer.

Other baddies this season include Brent Spiner as Data’s nefarious android brother Lore and Daniel Davis as Sherlock nemesis Professor Moriarty.

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