Elizabeth II, who was Queen of the United Kingdom for 70 years until her death on September 8 this year, apparently formed a close friendship with Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise weeks before her death.

The surprising relationship between the duo developed over the course of their meeting during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, marking her 70th anniversary on the throne. The Top Gun: Maverick star had tea with the Queen during his visit to the Windsor Castle. “The Queen let it be known that she was really disappointed not to have met Tom at the pageant, so he was invited to have a special tour of Windsor Castle with everything laid on for him,” a source was reportedly quoted as saying.

The source added, “Afterwards, just the two of them had tea together. She loved seeing him and they really hit it off, so much so that she invited him back for lunch. He was even allowed to fly in by helicopter.” Tom Cruise had earlier spoken of his fondness for the Queen during an interview. “She’s just a woman that I greatly admire. I think she is someone who has tremendous dignity and I admire her devotion. What she has accomplished has been historic,” he had said.