Diana's friend George Michael featured on new coins
Entertainment
Image of the ‘Faith’ singer on a new set of coins
(Web Desk) - King Charles is honoring George Michael — a friend of the British monarch’s late wife Princess Diana.
The King, 75, approved the use of an image of the "Faith" singer on a new set of coins at a meeting last week, alongside coins honoring the classic James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me and Maid Marion, from the historic Robin Hood story.
The Star Wars franchise — which was first filmed in Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire, England — is also honored through coins that feature the Death Star and Millennium Falcon among other designs.
The details were set out in documents from the latest meeting of the Privy Council, which took place last Wednesday, before Charles met with the U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Both occasions were rare in-person meetings for Charles, who is currently being treated for cancer. He has cut back on most in person discussions, especially those in public places.
The George Michael design features his classic Faith look of aviator shades and leather jacket, from his debut solo album of the same name, plus an engraving of the refrain of the famous title track.
“I wanted a detailed portrait that captured his charismatic expression — I was particularly thinking of his iconic sunglasses,” said designer Sandra Deiana in a statement.
“It’s amazing to be able to pay tribute to his music and what you see in the design is truly a piece of George Michael’s song," she added.
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The singer — who died at age 53 on Christmas Day 2016 – was a friend of Princess Diana and attended her 1997 funeral along with Elton John. During his life Michael was well-known for attending parties at the princess’s London home, Kensington Palace.
The design — which will appear on coins ranging from 50p to £200 — is the latest in the Music Legends series of collectible coins that have previously included Elton John, David Bowie and the rock band Queen.
The George Michael estate has also approved the design. “He would have been enormously proud and genuinely touched that a national institution should have decided to pay tribute to his memory in this way,” George Michael Entertainment added in a statement.
