Most girls might dream of being a princess at least once in their lives, but who would have thought that, of all people, Hong Kong actress Kingdom Yuen would be the one to have this wish materialise. And under quite bizarre circumstances, if we may say so.
Recently, the 60-year-old ex-TVB star, who’s known for her role as “Shi Liu sister” in Stephen Chow’s 1993 hit movie Flirting Scholar, announced that’s she been made a real princess.
The details, though, are a bit of a head-scratcher.
According to reports, Kingdom was nominated for the royal title because she has “always been kind and helpful to others”.
The princess title was an appointment given to her by the Filipino Mindanao Tribal Governance, who made Kingdom an official “Muslim princess”. The title is also recognised by all other Muslim countries, which have to address the actress as “Her Highness” from now on.
Now we’re wondering, is Kingdom a Muslim herself? And why would the Filipino Mindanao Tribal Governance anoint the Hong Kong actress a Muslim Princess? Islam is reportedly the second largest religion in the Philippines, with Catholicism being the first.
Either way, Kingdom is pretty thrilled about this honour, even jesting that she wants her husband, Hong Kong business man Noel Wong who’s known as the “King Of Glass”, to go on his knees to greet her as well.
Flaunting pictures of herself with the official certificate for her new royal identity, Kingdom then quipped: “Everyone can just call me Shi Liu Princess, that will make me happy enough. If I go to Malaysia and ask if my husband can be made a Datuk as well, they’ll even welcome us with a red carpet at the airport!”
She continued: “As the saying goes: “You only live once”. Experiencing being a princess is not bad too. My real name is Yuen Lai King, it has the word “King” in the English spelling, so I’ve been a royalty all along! Hence I bought a crown to reward myself.”
With regard to earlier rumours that she’s decided to quit acting, Kingdom shared that she’s never thought of retiring.
“I didn’t quit acting, I’m just taking a break! It’s the Dragon year [in the Chinese zodiac] so I’m very busy. Sometimes I think of starting a channel to talk about health issues too,” she explained.
Despite being a princess, Kingdom, in some way, still has to be a slave to her dogs at home.
“Now I have ten dogs at home in Hong Kong. Even though I’m overseas all the time, I won’t be moving them to Mainland because I have two helpers taking care of them in Hong Kong. Once I return home I go from a princess to a servant who chases after them to pick up their poo,” said Kingdom.