Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise, who has frequently declared himself an Anglophile after years of residence in the United Kingdom, has made a surprising and abrupt decision to return to the United States. The Mission: Impossible and Top Gun actor, aged 63, had been living in a luxurious £35 million apartment in London's prestigious Knightsbridge district, overlooking Hyde Park.
Sudden Departure Stuns Building Staff
Concierge staff at the exclusive apartment block were reportedly left 'stunned' by Cruise's unexpected departure. Sources indicate that workers were observed removing boxes of possessions from the penthouse property, signalling a swift and unanticipated exit. The reason behind this sudden move remains unclear, adding an element of mystery to the situation.
A Deep Affection for British Life
A source familiar with Cruise's departure revealed, 'Tom loved London. He loved where he lived, he would get up and go for run around Hyde Park in the mornings.' The insider elaborated that the actor cherished walking in the local area and particularly enjoyed taking helicopter flights from Battersea Heliport to explore the quintessentially British countryside.
The source added, 'It all happened very quickly, it was a surprise to the staff at the building where his penthouse is. It's most strange. The UK became both his professional headquarters and private playground, with discrete dates, tightly-guarded movements and late-night arrivals. England became far more than just a filming base.'
Four Decades of British Connections
Tom Cruise has been making films in the UK for forty years, but he settled here more permanently in 2021. During his time in Britain, he was spotted at numerous high-profile events, including:
- Wimbledon's Centre Court
- Glastonbury Festival
- King Charles's coronation concert at Windsor Castle
- Fundraising events with Prince William for the London Air Ambulance charity
- The late Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee celebrations
Sir Kenneth Branagh, who appeared alongside Cruise in the 2008 historical thriller Valkyrie, disclosed that the American actor 'loves British pubs' and had even learned Cockney rhyming slang. Cruise made what appeared to be a seamless transition into British high society, attending events alongside figures like David and Victoria Beckham, Gordon Ramsay, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
Professional Recognition and Personal Life
In April of last year, Cruise was honoured by the British Film Institute, being made an honorary Brit. He remarked at the time, 'I'm truly honoured, I've been making films in the UK for over 40 years and have no plans to stop.'
His personal life in London included romantic links to several glamorous women, including actress Hayley Atwell, his co-star in two Mission: Impossible films, and more recently, Hollywood actress Ana de Armas. The couple attended David Beckham's 50th birthday dinner at Core restaurant in Notting Hill last year, though it is understood they separated in October.
An Anglophile's Unexpected Exit
In 2022, Cruise stated, 'I guess I am an Anglophile. I spend a lot of time in Britain and that's not just for work reasons. I just love being here. It's a fantastic blend of old and new... Britain is trendy, too, and has a lot that other countries then copy. I also love the British countryside.'
Last year, reports suggested he was considering properties in the Cotswolds, indicating potential plans to put down further roots in the UK. This makes his sudden departure, which included removing the blackout curtains he had stapled to his apartment walls to facilitate sleep, all the more perplexing and mysterious.
