Naomi Watts discusses Princess Di role at Australian wine launch

HOLLYWOOD actress Naomi Watts helped iconic Australian wine Jacob’s Creek launch its new range in London last night. The glamorous ‘night picnic’ event was held at The Orangery in Holland Park, celebrating the night-harvesting process which gives the new range - Cool Harvest - its summery lightness.

The British-born Australian actress was the star attraction of the evening, mingling with the media and competition winners as everyone sampled the newly launched wines, with live music courtesy of Sophie Barker, vocalist with Zero 7 and Groove Armada.

After a welcoming speech by Jacob’s Creek winemaker Rebekah Richardson (pictured), the King Kong and Mulholland Drive star was on hand to discuss her “terrifying” upcoming role as Princess Diana in a new film – ‘Caught in Flight’ – portraying the last two years of her life. She said:

“(Diana) is a part of our history, an incredible and fascinating woman but with a tragic ending. The filmmakers came to me and it’s a good script and it’s very scary and I kind of wanted to say no but I couldn’t.

“I saw the wedding and everything. She is a very inspiring woman and it’s impressive how she sort of changed the whole gearing of the tradition of the royal family and opened it up and brought warmth to it.

“Now I’m doing all the research and there is so much to read, I just hope we make a good film and people can learn something new about her that’s interesting.”

The Oscar-nominated actress also said she would love to work in the future with her partner, Scream and X-Men star Liev Schreiber, with whom she has two young sons.

“He is a brilliant actor and I’m completely inspired by him so yes I’d love to work with him – it would make life a lot easier.”

Caught in Flight is filming in the UK later this year.

For more information on Cool Harvest wines go to www.jacobscreek.com

Words and photos by Kris Griffiths