Prince Charles Ne Bulaya Hai...

By Subhash K Jha

Princess Diana, here comes Shabana!

Is there no end to the peaks that the amazing Azmi chooses to conquer?

Just check out what Shabana will be doing this July. She and her illustrious husband Javed Akhtar have been invited to spend four days at the Buckingham Palace as Prince Charles' personal guest.

"That's right, " says Shabana. "Jadu and I have been invited by Prince Charles for a four-day visit to Buckingham Palace from 12 July to 16 July. Mukesh Ambani, Laxmi Mittal and Ratan Tata are also invited."

And what, pray tell, is the motive behind this royal opportunity?

"It's essentially to discuss long-term India-UK relations with regard to charitable causes. We'll deliberate on how to further charitable links between the two countries.

That would include closer collaboration between the Ratan Tata Trust and the Prince Charles Trust. Let's see how it goes, " says the cool-as-a-cucumber Shabana known for her global social and political concerns.

"I really don't know how these opportunities come my way, " she observes. "They just fall into my lap. I've known about the visit to Buckingham Palace for some time now. But it's only now as it approaches and you ask me about it, that I'm giving it a thought."

So what would she be wearing for this 4-day tryst with super-royalty?

"I really don't know! Now you're making me seriously concerned, " laughs the actress whose sartorial elegance is legendary.

"My penchant for colours and threads is something I've inherited from my mother" she says with familial pride.

No doubt Shabana would be utilizing this invaluable inheritance to great advantage in Prince Charles' company.