Dame Julie Andrews has made a rare public appearance to raise awareness for Parkinson's disease. The 90-year-old Mary Poppins star featured in a video launching the World Parkinson's Congress, speaking about the devastating impact of the condition.
In the video, shared on YouTube by the World Parkinson Coalition, Dame Julie said: 'Good evening, everyone, I'm Julie Andrews, and I'm pleased to welcome you to the seventh World Parkinson's Congress. Your participation is invaluable as we seek to find a cure to this terrible disease. I know well how devastating it can be.' She added: 'May we all become a beacon of light to stop it in its tracks. Count me in as a red thread. Thank you.'
The actress appeared relaxed in the clip, sitting in a white chair near a window overlooking a garden. She wore a grey sweater, white turtleneck T-shirt, gold earrings and a gold necklace.
Despite her age, Dame Julie continues to work, most recently voicing Lady Whistledown in Netflix's Bridgerton. She has also appeared in Minions: The Rise of Gru and Blake Edwards: A Love Story in 24 Frames. However, she revealed in 2022 that she has never met her Bridgerton co-stars, recording her lines remotely.
Dame Julie has also collaborated with her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton on a new children's book titled Shy, inspired by her own dog. The book is available for pre-order, and the pair have previously co-authored several works including Julie Andrews' Collection of Poems, Songs and Lullabies.
