MEMORIES OF A PRINCESS.

A heart-warming story of a very special royal encounter.

I was lucky enough to meet the wonderful Carrie Fisher at Star Wars Celebration VI in 2012. It was my fi rst Star Wars convention, and the fi rst time I met a famous person, so I was very nervous. As the line got shorter and I got nearer to my idol, I started to panic. What would I say? What if I said something stupid, or just never said anything at all? Then I noticed happy folk walking past, holding signed photos. There were young kids, older people, and families.

They’d just met Carrie and were so full of joy and happiness. The man in front of me in the line went in to the enclosure for what seemed like an hour, but what was probably no more than two minutes! It was strange, but that time afforded me the chance to get myself together. I was ready to meet Carrie Fisher: Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan herself; rebel commander and slayer of Jabba the Hutt; queen of the one-liner and owner of the most adorable French bulldog in history! I was going in. Here goes nothing… “Hello,” she said with that beautiful, rich voice. I passed her a photo depicting Leia in her Hoth outfi t. She signed it, joking that she was pleased it wasn’t another Slave Leia photo. I smiled and as I did, my brain and mouth refused to work together. Time was running out. “Thank you. Thank you for everything!” I squeaked as I walked away. I spent the rest of that day with the biggest smile on my face. That will always be my happiest memory. Thanks, Carrie. Thanks for everything.

Kathleen Bennett, Wisconsin