Emma Thompson has revealed that Donald Trump asked her out on a date on the same day she got divorced.
The actress, 66, said the President of the US, 79, asked her out for dinner as soon as her marriage to fellow British actor Kenneth Branagh was officially over.
Speaking at the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland on Saturday, Dame Emma described how she was in her trailer while filming Primary Colours, a 1998 film inspired by Bill Clinton’s rise to the White House, when her phone rang.
The award-winning actress said Trump was on the line and initially she thought it was a joke, the Telegraph reported.
She said: ‘It was Donald Trump. He said: “Hello, this is Donald Trump.” I thought it was a joke and asked: “How can I help you?” Maybe he needed directions from someone.
‘Then he said: “I’d love you to come and stay at one of my beautiful places. Maybe we could have dinner.”
‘I said: “Well, that’s very sweet. Thank you so much. I’ll get back to you”.’
The surprising phone call came after the president has separated from his second wife, Marla Maples, with whom he shares Tiffany Trump.
At the time, the 47th US President had yet to set his sights on politics and was instead focusing on expanding his New York real estate empire.
In contrast, the Harry Potter actress had announced her split from Branagh in 1995 and had begun a relationship with her co-star Greg Wise, whom she later married, after meeting on the set of Sense and Sensibility.
The revelation came during a Q&A about her career at the star-studded film festival, where Dame Emma joked that had she gone on a date with the Republican politician, she may have changed the course of American history.
She also suggested that she was chosen by his team as a suitable person to be seen in public dating.
She added: ‘I bet he’s got people looking for suitable people he could take out on his arm. You know, a nice divorcee, that’s what he was looking for.’
The star, who is a staunch member of the Labour party and even supported Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership and bid for Prime Minister in 2019, added: ‘I could have changed the course of American history.’
The festival gave Dame Emma Leopard Club Award for career achievements.
Dame Emma has always been an outspoken political activist and last year led thousands of people on a march in London aimed at persuading politicians to prioritise nature and climate.
More than 350 charities, businesses and direct action groups were taking part in the Restore Nature Now march, along with Dame Emma, businessman Dale Vince and naturalists Chris Packham and Steve Backshall.