Andrew Lloyd Webber reflects on his memories with the Queen and says he ‘got to know her off-duty’

Andrew Lloyd Webber reflected on his memories of the Queen prior to her historic state funeral, revealing that he had “got to know her off duty.”

The 74-year-old composer spoke to Huw Edwards on the BBC as guests entered Westminster Abbey Monday morning, reflecting on his first meeting with the monarch and eventually becoming an acquaintance of hers on a more personal level.

He explained that his relationship with the Queen grew after she celebrated her 60th birthday and Lord Lloyd-Webber, famous for The Phantom Of The Opera, Cats and Jesus Christ Superstar, to name a few, was asked by Prince Edward to make a musical for her.

He said: ‘Well, I suppose my first meeting would probably have just been at several openings, but I got to know her better when Prince Edward a few years ago, well, it would be for her 60th birthday, asked me if I wanted to write a letter. musical, which was performed in Windsor, which I wrote with Tim Rice and which, of course, led to Edward joining my company.

“Over the years I got to know her a little off duty.”

“She was always the queen, but it was really nice to have a chat with her now and then – sometimes even a disagreement, but one of the things that really amused me was that she didn’t show my love for Victorian architecture. shared . . . well not particularly of a building by an architect named William Burges.’

During the interview with broadcaster Huw, Lord Lloyd-Webber spoke about the significance of today, with 2,000 royals, world leaders, VIPs and hundreds of members of the public gathering at Westminster Abbey for the Queen’s state funeral.

Honored: Lord Lloyd-Webber looked back on his first meeting with the monarch and eventually became an acquaintance of hers on a more personal level

‘She represented stability’: The composer spoke to Huw Edwards on the BBC as guests entered Westminster Abbey Monday morning

He said: ‘It really is a day when we should all think about one of the most remarkable women anyone will ever see.

“I think she represented stability at a time when so much has changed and I think the outpouring that we’ve seen this past week, I was in New York last week and it’s extraordinary, you know, how even there has it deeply touched people.

“All I can say is that I feel very, very, very lucky and privileged to have actually met what must have been probably the most remarkable woman of the past 50 years, 70 years – what more can you say?”

Days after her death on September 8, Lord Lloyd-Webber posted a tribute to the late Queen on his Instagram, sharing photos of himself and Her Majesty over the years.

‘Inspiration to the world’: Days after her passing, Andrew posted a tribute to the late Queen on his Instagram, sharing photos of himself and Her Majesty over the years

He wrote: ‘All my life the Queen has been the constant anchor of not only Britain and her beloved Commonwealth, but an inspiration to the world for her life of service.

“Her legacy will be remembered as a selfless beacon of love, understanding and celebration for fellow human beings around the world, regardless of race or creed.”

In 2012, Lord Lloyd-Webber and Take That’s Gary Barlow composed the Queen’s official Diamond Jubilee single, Sing.

Earlier this year, Lord Lloyd-Webber was part of the star-studded lineup performing as part of the BBC’s Platinum Party at the Palace to mark the Queen’s 70th reign.

‘Constant anchor’: Lord Lloyd-Webber remembered the Queen, calling her ‘a selfless beacon of love’ and ‘an inspiration to the world’ for her dedication and lifelong service