Moment Ozzy Osbourne 'broke protocol' when he met Queen Elizabeth II
The rock legend passed away last week
As fans gather today for Ozzy Osbourne’s funeral, many are remembering the moments that made the rock icon unforgettable, including the time he accidentally broke royal protocol in front of Queen Elizabeth II.
The Black Sabbath frontman died on July 22 at the age of 76.
Did Ozzy Osbourne ever meet the Queen?
Ozzy first met Queen Elizabeth II in 2002 when he was invited to perform at her golden jubilee concert.
At the time, he expressed disbelief that he’d been asked to take part in such a prestigious royal event.
“I hardly think of myself as royal material,” he told ITN. “My wife told me, and I thought, ‘You’re pulling my leg.’ I have no idea [why I was invited], but I hope they realise what they’ve booked. I’m a pretty loud guy, you know. I can’t believe it. I’m thrilled to bits.”
The heavy metal legend joked that he would behave himself for the occasion.
He said: “I’m hardly going to go and start ripping things’ heads off and start urinating up the side of the wall and all.”
Ozzy also met Queen Elizabeth II in 2005, when he attended the Royal Variety Performance.
On the second season of The Osbournes, Sharon revealed that when Ozzy bowed before Queen Elizabeth II on one occasion, he accidentally addressed her as “Your Holiness” instead of “Your Majesty” or “Your Highness”.
Thankfully, the monarch didn’t appear to notice, or mind, as she kept the moment moving without reaction.
Ozzy Osbourne and King Charles’ unlikely bond
The royal run-ins didn’t stop there. Ozzy later formed an unlikely friendship with King Charles.
The two men, both born in 1948, bonded over their shared age and mutual respect. Following Ozzy’s 2003 quad-biking accident, Charles sent him a bottle of Scotch whisky with a note of encouragement.
“When my husband got sick, he wrote to him,” Sharon said on TalkTV. “He’s the same age as Ozzy, so he gets it. He said, ‘We’ve done very well so far. This is just a little hurdle.'”
Speaking to the New York Post in 2022 ahead of the king’s 2023 coronation, Ozzy added: “He’s a very, very nice man. He’s always treated me with the utmost respect. I wish him all the best.”
The pair were even photographed sharing a laugh at the Prince’s Trust 30th birthday celebration in 2006, alongside Sharon and X Factor star Chico.
Ozzy’s death was confirmed in a family statement last week.
“It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning,” the statement read. “He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.”
He is survived by his wife Sharon, their children Aimée, Kelly, and Jack, and his three children from a previous marriage: Jessica, Louis, and Elliot.
Read more: Sarah Ferguson pays touching tribute to Ozzy Osbourne as he dies aged 76
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