A true legend of the screen, Dame Julie Andrews appeared in high spirits as she made an increasingly rare public appearance on Monday.
The Mary Poppins star, 88, was snapped as she enjoyed a shopping trip in the Hamptons, New York, with the aid of a walking stick.
Oscar winner Dame Julie has not been pictured in several months, but the actress looked sprightly as she negotiated herself into a car with a smile on her face.
She looked fashionable in black trousers and a spotless white blazer, which she paired with a cream T-shirt, statement stud earrings and comfortable black slip-on trainers.
In her left hand she wielded a stick to lean on, when necessary.
She was also accompanied by a friend assisting her as she got into the waiting vehicle, as well as a man who shielded her with an umbrella from possible inclement weather – as well as perhaps overly enthusiastic fans.
The star’s career of over 70 years has kept her in the spotlight for many decades, thanks to her successes in the West End and on Broadway with the likes of The Boy Friend and My Fair Lady, where she originated the role of Eliza Doolittle opposite Rex Harrison.
While she may have missed out on the part for the movie adaptation, which instead went to Audrey Hepburn, she instead made her feature film debut in Mary Poppins in 1964, for which she won the best actress Academy Award.
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She was also on hand last year to appear in a television special celebrating her co-star Dick Van Dyke’s 98th birthday.
The next year, she played Maria Von Trapp in The Sound of Music, another beloved and successful musical which netted her a Golden Globe and another Oscar nomination.
The intervening years have included Thoroughly Modern Millie, Torn Curtain and Victor/Victoria – which brought her third best actress Oscar nod in 1983.
In more recent years, she’s enjoyed big success with a younger generation thanks to her appearances as Queen Clarisse Renaldi in The Princess Diaries and its sequel.
Although star Anne Hathaway has recently confirmed that the team was ‘in a good place’ with development on a threequel, the last update from Dame Julie suggested she might not be involved.
‘I think we know that it’s probably not going to be possible,’ the star said back in December 2022. ‘It was talked about very shortly after [the sequel] came out, but it’s now how many years since then?
‘I’m that much older and Annie, the princess – or queen – is so much older and I’m not sure whether it would float or run.’
When the idea of a reboot was suggested, she agreed toAccess Hollywood: ‘Well maybe, yes. But in terms of us doing it, I very much doubt that now.
‘Something, we’ll do together, I hope. She’s a great friend.’
With things looking more possible now on the third film’s front, we hope it’s a case of never say never for the Despicable Me voice star’s involvement.
Dame Julie has also enjoyed further adulation thanks to her pitch-perfect performance as the Lady Whistledown narrator for Netflix’s hit period drama Bridgerton, returning next month for its third season.
However, she revealed that she does her work ‘far, far away’ from the action.
‘Shonda Rhimes and the whole gang down, they’re terrific,’ Dame Julie told presenter Hoda Kotb on The Today Show in 2022.
‘It’s a joy and I’m thrilled that they asked me.
‘But I’ve never met the company in person. Of course, I see them on the show sometimes. But I do all my own recording far far away from them.’
When asked what she thinks of the smash-hit, Dame Julie responded: ‘I think it’s gorgeous looking and they’re all wonderful in it and they’re lovely people to work with.’
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