FILL OUR HEARTS WITH THE SOUND OF MUSIC

As Dame Julie Andrews turns 90, two of the actresses who played the von Trapp children reflect on her winning personality and remarkable career

- INTERVIEW: POLLY DUNBAR

When Julie Andrews arrived on the set of The Sound of Music in 1964, she had recently finished filming another iconic role – much to the delight of the youngsters playing the Von Trapp children.

"She'd just filmed Mary Poppins and she taught us how to say 'Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious'," Angela Cartwright, who played Brigitta, tells HELLO! in this exclusive interview. "She taught us how to say it backwards, too, and it's something I've never forgotten."

Julie's performances in the two roles – Maria, the singing nun, and the "practically perfect" nanny Mary, for which she won an Academy Award for Best Actress – made her one of the world's biggest stars. With her beautiful singing voice, radiant presence and natural warmth, she instantly became one of its best-loved, too.

Now, as she celebrates her 90th birthday on 1 October, Dame Julie is a Hollywood legend, with a remarkable decades-long stage and screen career featuring roles in everything from The Princess Diaries to the hit TV series Bridgerton, which she narrated in her instantly recognisable, deeply comforting tones.

As well as an Oscar, her extraordinary list of accolades includes seven Golden Globes, three Emmy Awards, two Grammy Awards, a Bafta Award and a damehood.

SPECIAL CONNECTION

In honour of the British-born star's milestone birthday, HELLO! spoke to two of the actresses who starred alongside her in The Sound of Music 60 years ago, becoming, as Julie has said, "family". They shared their memories of filming with the actress in Salzburg, Austria, and the close relationship they still have with her.

For the seven children, who ranged in age from five to 16 years old, working on the film was an incredible adventure, with Julie at its centre.