Gina Stewart met the then Prince Charles back in 1981 (Image: GETTY/INSTAGRAM)
Gina Stewart, dubbed the “world’s hottest gran”, has attributed her Playboy modelling career to an unlikely inspiration – .
The 54-year-old met the then Prince Charles as a schoolgirl during his 1981 visit to Pakuranga, New Zealand, along with Princess Diana. And she even shook hands with the monarch-to-be.
Gina recalls how stories of Charles being kissed by a Playboy model in 1979 were all the rage among her classmates, saying: “We all knew at school that he was kissed on the beach by a Playboy Bunny.”
She cited her youthful impression of Charles as the catalyst for her ambitions, saying: “He was seen as a heart throb and maybe that’s what inspired me to be a Playboy model when I grew up. I thought I would catch my handsome prince one day.”
Describing the experience in detail, she told the “I got a chance to connect, talk and shake his hand. He took a genuine interest in us all so that memory has stood out as a special moment in my life when I was a child.”
Prince Charles is kissed by Jane Priest, a model, as he emerges from the water at Cottesloe beach in Perth, during his 1979 tour of Australia (Image: Corbis via Getty Images)
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Not only that, but Gina also shared a charming anecdote of Charles riding her best friend’s BMX bike, showcasing his good looks and charisma.
She said: “He even rode my best friend’s BMX bike round the school field, having us all in stitches. I must admit he was very handsome, well-dressed and suave with a great sense of humour and a kind personality.”
Gina reminisced about his humour being the most striking feature, pointing out that his “understated charm” made people feel comfortable. She went on to praise him for being humble and approachable, especially now as monarch, saying: “Seeing him now as King, it’s clear those same qualities – his warmth, intelligence and sense of purpose – are still at the core of who he is.”
She expressed it being a privilege to have met someone so committed to service and positive global influence.
Gina is often dubbed the ‘world’s hottest gran’ (Image: INSTAGRAM)
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Additionally, Gina has lived a fulfilling life herself, becoming a mother at 19, with a family that includes three adult children and three grandchildren, and not forgetting her ten-year-old daughter. Rising to fame in recent years, she entered a Maxim modelling contest for charity, leading to her recognition on the Maxim Australia Hot 100 list in 2019.
Despite her pleasant memories, a letter sold at auction divulged Prince Charles’s less-than-favourable experience during the visit. He confided a friend in writing: “The real problem is keeping enthusiasm on each new day because I am beginning to get fed up of nonsensical rubbish I take all day and every day.”
“If one more NZ child asks me what it’s like to be a prince I shall go demented.”