Billy Crystal recounts Princess Diana’s reaction to iconic Meg Ryan scene in 'When Harry Met Sally'

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Billy Crystal recalled his experience of attending 'When Harry Met Sally' premiere with Princess Diana and shared the late royal's reaction to an iconic scene from the movie during his appearance on the Friday, October 25 episode of 'The View.'

The late Princess of Wales had attended the London premiere of Crystal's cult classic 'When Harry Met Sally' in 1989. They were accompanied by the film's director, Rob Reiner, and the female lead, Meg Ryan.

Crystal joked that Diana's reaction to the famous fake orgasm scene performed by Ryan in the movie would have ruined the chances of a second date, had he been dating the princess.

Billy Crystal shares 'When Harry Met Sally' premiere experience with Princess Diana

The subject of Billy Crystal attending a film premiere with Princess Diana was brought up by co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin on the ABC show, who went on to ask Crystal, now 76, to share his experience of interacting with British royalty.

"She was unbelievable,” shared Crystal. "We sit together. She’s on my left and Meg is on her left. So, it’s me, (Rob Reiner on one side), Princess (Diana) and then Meg.”

“We sit down together in the balcony in the theater. And the trumpets are blaring as we walk in, which happens in every movie theater. And Meg’s like — she’s so cute — leaning in front like, ‘Do you believe who she is?’ It’s . . . crazy," he continued.

The movie is famous for a scene set in a crowded New York deli, where Ryan’s character, Sally, loudly demonstrates how women can fake an orgasm for Crystal’s character, Harry.

"And then the deli scene happens, and the whole audience below us is now looking back to see how the princess is going to react to Meg faking the orgasm,” Crystal told 'The View' co-hosts. "She starts laughing — a big laugh."

He attempted to mimic the Princess' reaction by letting out loud, raspy peals of laughter, and stated, "(It was) the kind of laugh that if we were dating, I wouldn’t see her again.”

“The laugh. She’s beautiful, but the laugh!” he quipped. “But it was a spectacular, spectacular evening, and so great to meet her.”

Billy Crystal and Rob Reiner shared BTS details about diner scene

The diner scene required multiple takes while shooting, a fact that was first shared by the director in 2019 on the film's reunion panel with the lead actors. At one point, Reiner even swapped seats with Ryan to show her exactly what he wanted on screen.

Crystal recalled the experience as well, joking, "He had an orgasm Mighty Joe Young would have been proud of."

“On the other side of (Ryan), I ate 27 pastrami sandwiches," he added. "For any Jew, that’s a lot.”

The performance earned Ryan a Golden Globe, and the movie has become an ageless comedy classic.