Julie Andrews made her first public appearance in three years at the 7th World Parkinson’s Disease Congress over the weekend.
The 90-year-old Oscar winner appeared in a video message, introducing himself and welcoming attendees to this year’s event.
“Your participation will be invaluable as we aim to find a cure for this terrible disease,” Andrews said.
The “Sound of Music” star said he knows “how devastating” Parkinson’s disease can be.
“May we all be beacons of light and stop its progress,” she added optimistically. “Please count me as a red thread. Thank you.”
Andrews filmed her video message while sitting on a couch in front of a window.
She wore a gray crewneck sweatshirt over a white turtleneck, a long gold necklace and matching earrings.
Andrews last appeared in public in March 2023 at the taping of her friend Carol Burnett’s television special, “Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter and Love,” which aired on NBC the following month.
The two posed for pictures together at the star-studded event. Mr Andrews wore a navy jacket covered in black and white beads and sequins, while Mr Barnett, now 93, wore a pink blazer over a white shirt.
Andrews has been friends with Burnett for more than 60 years and even chose the “Annie” actress to be the godmother of his daughter Emma Walton Hamilton.
“From day one, it’s like we know and understand where each other is coming from,” Andrews told People magazine in 2023, speaking about his bond with Burnett.
Andrews added: “Even though we come from different countries, we knew we had something to understand. It was difficult for both of us at first, but we bonded because of it. The day we met was instantaneous.”
In May 2024, Andrews and Hamilton, 63, appeared together on “CBS News Sunday Morning” to promote their children’s audiobook “Waiting in the Wings.”
In a pre-recorded interview, Andrews talked about how the project helped her cope with losing her singing voice following throat surgery in 1997.
“One day I was lamenting my fate and really missing the fact that I couldn’t sing because the surgery went wrong and took away my ability to do what I love. Then Emma said, ‘No, Mom, you just found another way to share your voice,'” Andrews said.
The “Mary Poppins” star added: “What she said really hit me. I’ve never regretted it since.”
