Britney Spears: Prince Wills Stood Me Up

Jan. 24, 2002 -- It looks like even pop princesses have to wait in line when it comes to real royalty.

Britney Spears says Britain's Prince William stood her up for a dinner date, British media outlets reported today.

In an interview for a British talk show, the American singer said she had been corresponding with the prince via e-mail, and invited him to visit her and perhaps go for a meal.

But the meeting never went ahead, she admitted during an interview for ITV1's Frank Skinner Show.

Skinner asked the 20-year-old chart topper about her relationship with the 19-year-old prince, and if she had become "quite friendly" with him.

She said, "Yeah, it was just like, all blown out of proportion — we exchanged e-mails for a little bit and he was supposed to come and see me somewhere but it didn't work out."

Skinner added: "You were blown out by Prince William?" Spears replied, "Yeah."

Spears said she had no idea why William had changed his mind about meeting, but Britain's Sun tabloid reported the prince had opted to go fox hunting instead.

What About Harry?

Spears was in Britain to promote her new single, "Overprotected." She says she and the prince have never actually met and denied rumors of a cyber romance.

The midriff-bearing singer, who is in a long-term relationship with pop group 'N Sync's Justin Timberlake, has long acknowledged her admiration for a number of English celebrities, like the prince and England soccer captain David Beckham.

Later this month, she plans to film a Pepsi commercial for the World Cup with the soccer hunk, and said she looked forward to meeting him.

"I think he's cute," she told The Associated Press. "I'm hoping he'll help me with the soccer moves for the commercial."

Timberlake needn't worry, however; Beckham is already married, to the Spice Girls' Victoria Beckham (she's Posh Spice).

And during the ITV interview, Skinner suggested she pursue someone else instead of Prince William, who, as second in line to the British throne, is considered one of the world's most eligible bachelors.

"Go with the brother," he said, referring to 17-year-old Prince Harry, who recently admitted smoking marijuana and underage drinking. "He's much more fun," Skinner told Spears.

The interview was taped last week and will be broadcast Saturday.