Seeing Dame Julie Andrews under the spotlight is always a delight. The singer and actress has kept a low profile during recent years, so her video appearance for the seventh World Parkinson Congress was a welcome surprise.
In her short video message, she appeared seated in a cozy white armchair wearing a white turtleneck under a gray crewneck sweatshirt.
“Good evening, everyone, I’m Julie Andrews, and I’m pleased to welcome you to the seventh World Parkinson’s Congress,” she began. “Your participation is invaluable as we seek to find a cure to this terrible disease. I know well how devastating it can be. May we all become a beacon of light to stop it in its tracks. Count me in as a red thread. Thank you.”
The Mary Poppins star highlighted the World Parkinson Congress’ Red Thread Project, which ran from April 15, 2025, to February 28, 2026. The World Parkinson Congress explains that the Red Thread Theory stems from an East Asian belief in an invisible string connecting individuals destined to cross paths across any time, place, or circumstance.
The clip, broadcasted to the audience in Phoenix by the World Parkinson Coalition, showcased Julie’s compassionate support. While she doesn’t live with the condition herself, her delivery carried the emotional resonance of someone intimately familiar with its impact, providing a profound sense of comfort and encouragement.
At 90 years old, she is still actively working, enchanting viewers as the narrator Lady Whistledown in Bridgerton alongside her legendary film legacy in Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, and The Princess Diaries. Adding to her impressive portfolio, she has a new children’s book on the way. Created with her eldest daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton, illustrated by Eva Byrne, and inspired by her personal “singing” dog, Shy is set for release on August 11.
Julie Andrews and her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton have co-authored over 30 books for children and young adults, several of which have landed on the New York Times bestseller list (such as The Very Fairy Princess series). Their publishing program, The Julie Andrews Collection, is specifically designed to nurture a love of reading and imagination in children.
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