For almost three decades, Geri Horner has seemingly been unable to resist the pull of the British Royal Family, so much so that we should perhaps start calling her ‘Royal Spice’.
Just the other day, the former Spice Girl, 50, joined Prince William, 41, during the third stop of his whirlwind UK tour to launch his initiative aimed at ending homelessness.
Having already visited Lambeth and Bournemouth, the Prince of Wales travelled to Newport, Wales, where he was joined by Geri at Maindee Primary School as they learnt about how, by intervening in young lives as early as possible, educational facilities can help support children and their families to prevent homelessness.
Prince William was greeted with a very friendly hug from Geri, who appeared to ignore his initial offer of just a handshake.
But it’s not the first time the former pop star has been more forward with the royals; in 1997, the Spice Girls met King Charles, then the Prince of Wales, to celebrate the 21st Anniversary Of The Prince’s Trust charity – and were very cheeky.
In 1997, the Spice Girls met King Charles, then the Prince of Wales, to celebrate the 21st Anniversary Of The Prince’s Trust charity (pictured) – and were very cheeky
Mel B asked Charles out for dinner and broke royal protocol by giving him a kiss on the cheek – but Geri went one step further and told him ‘you’re very sexy’ and gave him a big red lipstick kiss on the cheek and a ‘pat’ on the bum.
The Spice Girls star spoke about her flirty behaviour with the royal years later. ‘I didn’t pinch Prince Charles’s bum, as was reported. I patted it,’ she said.
‘Patting him on the bottom was against royal protocol but we’re all human. There was a lot of nervous energy, young women, happy antics.’
The pair became good friends with Charles even writing to Geri when she announced her departure from the Spice Girls.
He wrote: ‘The group will not be the same without you. What will I do without your wonderfully friendly greeting?
‘Really wanted you to know how deeply I’ve appreciated your great generosity to my Prince’s Trust and how much I wish you well for whatever the future holds.’
Then for her first solo performance after leaving the Spice Girls, Geri performed for the then Prince of Wales for his 50th birthday celebrations in 1998 at the the Lyceum Theatre in London’s West End.
Wearing a blue 50s-ispired ballgown by designer Kenny Ho, Geri performed her own version of Happy Birthday and blew Prince Charles a kiss.
Just the other day, the former Spice Girl, 50, joined Prince William, 41, during the third stop of his whirlwind UK tour to launch his initiative aimed at ending homelessness
But it’s not only the current monarch who Geri is fond of, with the former pop star having previously dressed up as Queen Elizabeth I for her 2020 YouTube series Rainbow Woman
Geri left viewers cringing after a ‘forced’ Party at the Palace message to Queen Elizabeth II during the star-studded Platinum Jubilee concert (pictured)
Over twenty years later and she has since appeared with the monarch at numerous charity events.
Just last month, Geri and the King looked happy to see one another again as they shared a hug at the star-studded Trust Awards.
Geri even gave Charles an encouraging pep talk, telling him ‘you’re a very modern king’ after kissing him on both cheeks.
Speaking to Hello in 2019 at the annual Prince’s Trust Invest in Futures event, Geri admitted that her long-standing relationship with the King made her consider him an honorary member of the Spice Girls.
‘I feel like Prince Charles, his royal highness, is part of the landscape of the Spice Girls’ journey,’ Geri said.
But it’s not only the current monarch who Geri is fond of, with the former pop star having previously dressed up as Queen Elizabeth I for her 2020 YouTube series Rainbow Woman.
Geri first became acquainted with the Royal Family after meeting Prince Charles with her fellow Spice Girls at the Manchester Opera House for a Royal Gala performance to celebrate the 21st anniversary of the Prince’s Trust Charity in May 1997
The former popstar shook hands with the late Queen Elizabeth II at the Royal Command Performance at the Victoria Palace Theatre on December 1, 1997
Just a few days after meeting the Queen, Geri was met with Prince Charles once again at the premier of the film ‘Spiceworld – The Movie’ in aid of The Prince’s Trust at the Empire Cinema in Leicester Square, London, on December 15, 1997
Prince Charles greeted Geri Halliwell with a kiss on the cheek backstage at ‘95.8 Capital FM’s Party In The Park’ for the Prince’s Trust’ on July 11, 2004 at Hyde Park, London
Charles and Geri appeared to be laughing up a storm as they greeted one another at the Prince’s Trust Celebrate Success Awards at London Palladium on March 7, 2016
The Spice Girls hitmaker, 48, was worlds away from her usual looks as she donned an illustrious red gown and wig to play the fierce monarch in the first episode of her children’s series.
Her crimson and gold outfit featured puff sleeves, a velvet corset and intricate embellishment as she marched down a castle corridor in a dramatic clip from the show.
She was also seen clutching opulent rosary beads and walking hastily towards a church steeple.
Geri’s iconic ginger locks were perched beneath a delicate beaded headband, and she wore a pale make-up look, reminiscent of Queen Elizabeth I.
The first episode of Rainbow Woman, titled Queen Speaks, saw Geri honour Queen Elizabeth I by visiting Ashridge House in full costume, where the late monarch resided as a Princess until she was arrested by her sister Mary in 1558.
Queen Elizabeth I – known for her signature red hair and refusal to find a husband – ruled over England throughout the Tudor period, succeeding her sister Mary I on the throne from 1558 to 1603.
But Elizabeth I is not the only Queen that Geri has paid tribute to – although, admittedly, her toe-curling message to the late Queen Elizabeth II in June 2022 didn’t go down quite so well with viewers at the time.
Geri looked perfectly at home as she posed elegantly during a reception for winners of the Queen’s Commonwealth essay competition at Buckingham Palace on October 31, 2019
Later in the day, Queen Camilla met with Geri on behalf of the late Queen. The royal seemed to be fond of the former pop star as they chatted away happily
Camilla and Geri could easily have been mistaken for long-time friends as the pair appeared equally happy to see one another at a reception for winners of The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay competition in 2021 hosted by the then Duchess of Cornwall at St James’s Palace
Just a year later, the women were just as pleased to be reunited for a reception for the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2022 winners at Buckingham Palace
Camilla and the former Spice Girl shared a friendly embrace as they greeted each other
Geri left viewers cringing after a ‘forced’ Party at the Palace message to Queen Elizabeth II during the star-studded Platinum Jubilee concert.
The Spice Girl – best known as Ginger Spice – was one of many famous faces who sent a video tribute to mark the late monarch’s 70 years on the throne.
Geri started her short speech with: ‘Our Queen, kind, loving, strong, serving our country, the Commonwealth, uniting us all together.
The star – who didn’t appear to show much emotion on her face – added: ‘Always putting others before yourself, you’re truly inspirational, inside and out, we thank you…we love you.’
Viewers were quick to share their negative opinions to Twitter, as one wrote: ‘Geri Horner has gone from ginger spice to cringer spice.’
A second said: ‘Watching Geri Horner doing a tribute!!! What an embarrassment. Didn’t seem sincere, more forced and written for her.’
Meanwhile, Geri was announced as one of the inaugural Ambassador for the Royal Commonwealth Society in 2020 and has since assisted the running of the Commonwealth Essay Competition alongside Queen Camilla.
Geri even brought her daughter Bluebell Halliwell along to the Commonwealth Day Service 2020 at Westminster Abbey on March 9, 2020 in London
Having been friends with the Prince for years, Geri flashed Harry a smile as they spoke ahead of the qualifiers for the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit on in 2014
Prince Harry, Christian Horner and Geri Halliwell appeared to be catching up as old friends during a dinner at the Ghantoot Polo Club on November 20, 2014 in Abu Dhabi
Geri offered Princess Eugenie a close embrace as the women posed for a photo together at the 50th anniversary of The Beatles SGT Pepper Album at Abbey Road Studios on May 31, 2017
At the time, she revealed how she was ‘delighted’ to be chosen as one of the Society’s first-ever Ambassadors, joining comedian David Walliams, X Factor star Alexandra Burke and writer Gyles Brandreth.
The network, which was founded in 1868, spans the Commonwealth’s 54 nations and champions literacy, equality and inclusion, and environmental causes.
Showing how a love for the royals runs in the Horner family, Geri looked chic in a monochrome ensemble as she stepped out to the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey with her daughter Bluebell in March 2020.
The pop star even struck an unlikely bond with Prince Harry, having nurtured a friendship after the pair met following a Spice Girls concert in Africa for Nelson Mandela back in 1997.
Although Harry was then aged just 13 – and Geri was 25 – the young prince felt a ‘real connection’, according to his tell-all memoir Spare.
Since their first encounter, Harry shared a laugh with his long-time friend, who was attending the Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi in 2014 with her then fiance, F1 Red Bull team boss Christian Horner.
Harry and Geri also caught up over dinner following the Sentebale Polo Cup for his charity just two days prior.
But not only has the former Spice Girl dined with Princes, but she has also partied with Princesses.
Geri and Princess Eugenie were spotted looking friendly with one another at the 50th anniversary of The Beatles SGT Pepper Album at Abbey Road Studios back in 2017.
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