
via Getty
BEIJING, CHINA – JANUARY 01: Actor Jackie Chan attends the Press Conference of “Wish Dragon” on January 1, 2021 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)

via Getty
BEIJING, CHINA – JANUARY 01: Actor Jackie Chan attends the Press Conference of “Wish Dragon” on January 1, 2021 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)
For an iconic actor like Jackie Chan, there are a plethora of moments worth archiving. However, there’s one that he’s not so proud of. Back in the day when he was still a young, aspiring actor, Chan met Queen Elizabeth. But things didn’t go as planned and the martial arts champion ended up with an empty head.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The legend recalled the incident during an episode of The Graham Norton Show. Back when Queen Elizabeth visited Hong Kong, she met the actor who received strict instructions on how to curtsy. However, Chan ended up drawing a blank when he saw the royal highness up front.
When Jackie Chan met the Queen of England
When the queen arrived in Hong Kong, Jackie Chan was flustered. His English wasn’t as good but he figured a way out. Since members of the royal court usually didn’t stop for too long, he thought that a quick bow and a greeting would do. When the Queen finally visited, the actor instinctively bowed and greeted her. However, things immediately fell apart.

via Getty
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 15: Jackie Chan attends the UK Film Premiere of The Karate Kid at Odeon Leicester Square on July 15, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Although his head faced down, Chan noticed that the Queen didn’t move. To his dismay, she recognized him and began chatting with him. Armed with a smile and polite nods, the actor seemed cool and collected. However, his inner self was panicking while trying to respond. He was literally at a loss for words!
He recalled the meeting during the interview and explained what went through his head. Chan quipped,?“My head is empty! I don’t know what she was talking about!”. It turned out that Chan did not expect the queen to stop and chat with him. As a result, he didn’t know what to say. His panic grew so much that the star wanted her to “go away” so he wouldn’t embarrass himself.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Not the first time Jackie felt embarrassed
Jackie Chan has previously been conscious of his language skills. Even though the actor mastered the art of entertaining the audience with his goofy self, he once admitted to feeling insecure. Once on a date with Taiwanese singer Teresa Teng, the legend ended up in an embarrassing situation while ordering food.

via Imago
BEIJING, CHINA – FEBRUARY 03: Actor Jackie Chan carries the torch during the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics Torch Relay at the Badaling Great Wall on February 3, 2022 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Zhang Xin/CHINASPORTS/VCGe)
He was unsure of how to order and Teng ended up helping him with it. While the gesture was kind, Chan began acting out of spite and embarrassment. He would go against every order and ruin a potentially good moment. However, the actor later learned from his mistakes and now rolls with the punches.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Watch This Story |?Relive the iconic on-screen fights of the GOAT Bruce Lee from his movie collection
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT