LONDON – More than 25 years after creating one of the most iconic romantic comedies in cinematic history, Julia Roberts and Richard Curtis shared a heartwarming reunion. This special moment wasn’t for a new blockbuster project but for the sweetest reason: the 30th birthday celebration of Curtis’s daughter, Scarlett Curtis.

The event took place on June 15, 2025, at a private party in London, where Roberts, the 57-year-old Hollywood star, flew in from the U.S. to join the festivities. In videos and photos shared by Scarlett on her Instagram Story, family and friends gathered to sing Carole King’s classic “You’ve Got a Friend.” Roberts and Curtis, 68, sat side by side, beaming with joy, showcasing a friendship that has endured for over two decades.

Julia Roberts, who played the glamorous Hollywood actress Anna Scott in Notting Hill (1999), and Richard Curtis, the acclaimed writer and director, forged a close bond during the film’s production. Set in London’s vibrant Notting Hill neighborhood, the movie tells the romantic tale of Anna and unassuming bookstore owner William Thacker (played by Hugh Grant). Grossing over $368 million globally and earning critical acclaim, Notting Hill remains a pinnacle of Roberts’ rom-com career and a testament to the timeless appeal of love across social divides.

Their friendship began on the set of this beloved film. In a February 2024 interview with British Vogue, Curtis recalled how Roberts won over his family. After the film’s premiere, Roberts made an unexpected visit to the Curtis home in Notting Hill, bringing a handmade gift: a knitted blanket embroidered with Scarlett’s name, who was then a preschooler. Roberts even went to Scarlett’s nearby kindergarten to personally deliver the gift, a gesture that left a lasting impression on the Curtis family. “She’s not only talented but also gentle and kind,” Curtis shared.

Scarlett Curtis, now a successful author with two published books and a screenwriter for hit series like The Summer I Turned Pretty and We Were Liars, clearly inherited her father’s creative spirit. The birthday celebration was not only a chance for Roberts and Curtis to reminisce but also a testament to the familial bond sparked by Notting Hill. “We still laugh and talk as much as ever, even after 25 years,” Roberts told Curtis in the Vogue interview.

During this London visit, Roberts also attended the Soccer Aid charity event at Old Trafford, further cementing her image as a compassionate star. However, fans may still feel a pang of longing for a screen reunion with Hugh Grant. Curtis once revealed he attempted to write a sequel to Notting Hill, but Roberts firmly rejected the idea, as it centered on a dramatic divorce between Anna and William—a concept she called “a terrible idea.” Grant, on the other hand, supported it, envisioning a “messiest divorce” filled with tears and expensive lawyers. Roberts has admitted that playing Anna Scott was one of her career’s greatest challenges, nearly declining the role because she felt uneasy portraying a glamorous Hollywood actress.

More than two decades later, Notting Hill remains an emblem of simple, heartfelt romance and British-American humor. Roberts’ iconic line, “I’m just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her,” continues to resonate with audiences across generations. This reunion between Roberts and Curtis not only evokes memories of those golden days but also reminds us that sometimes, the most beautiful relationships stem from an old book in a small bookstore.

With a legacy of emotionally rich films like Four Weddings and a Funeral, Love Actually, and About Time, Richard Curtis continues to inspire audiences through his work and life. As for Julia Roberts? After Notting Hill, she captivated audiences with diverse roles, from the Oscar-winning Erin Brockovich to the recent Ticket to Paradise. Yet, for many fans, Anna Scott remains the embodiment of her radiant smile and true love.

This reunion is sure to spark hope among Notting Hill fans for future surprises—perhaps not a divorce story, but something new and heartwarming. For now, we can only smile at this sweet moment: a friendship, a family, and an old song echoing through the years.