Marina Sirtis recounts the time she escorted Prince Charles to the premiere of Star Trek: First Contact

Marina Sirtis recounts the time she escorted Prince Charles to the premiere of Star Trek: First Contact
Marina Sirtis (left) and Prince Charles (right, image Wikipedia). In case you weren’t sure.

Marina Sirtis (left) and Prince Charles (right, image Wikipedia). In case you weren’t sure.

JULY 12, 2021 - Marina Sirtis, Star Trek: The Next Generation’s own Deanna Troi, recently moved back to the U.K. She’s been making the rounds to the local papers “across the pond”, and in her latest interview she has recounted an illustrious encounter.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Express, Sirtis recalled that it was back in 1996 when she was told by Paramount that they had been contacted by Buckingham Palace, and that Charles, Prince of Wales, wanted her to be his official escort to the premiere of Star Trek: First Contact.

Sirtis’ response was one of incredulity. “I said, ‘You’ve called Marina, did you mean to call Patrick?’” As in Patrick Stewart, also a British native, and the show’s lead/captain.

But there was no mistake. Sirtis said that it was a huge moment for her, but it was also nerve-wracking. “I’ve never been so nervous in my life,” she admitted. “ I was terrified. Because I love the Royal Family. I’m a big Royalist.”

And what did Prince Charles think of the film? “I don’t think he was a Star Trek fan,” Sirtis recalled. “At one point he was like, ‘What’s going on?’”

But whether or not he enjoyed the movie, Sirtis was quick to point out that “he was very nice and he chatted but he didn’t talk during the movie.” Perhaps His Royal Highness’ royal upbringing included movie theatre etiquette.

To read Sirtis’ interview with the Express, and all the wonderful details of her time as Prince Charles’ escort (nothin’ kinky), head to express.co.uk.

T is the Managing Editor for Daily Star Trek News and a contributing writer for Sherlock Holmes Magazine. He may have been the last professional Stage Manager to work with Leonard Nimoy, has worked Off-Broadway and regionally, and is currently the union Stage Manager for Legacy Theatre, where he is also developing a blog (A View From the Booth) and podcast (Legacy Theatre on the Air), both of which are set to premiere in February, 2024.