(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Reese Witherspoon was "speechless" when she realised the Duchess of Cambridge was nervous about meeting her.

The American actress is a huge fan of the British royal, who was given a title after marrying Prince William in April. The royal couple recently toured Canada and the US, and met a host of famous faces at a Los Angeles event. Among them was Reese, who was petrified about meeting Catherine. However, she was soon put at ease when the royal admitted she's been a fan of the actress' work for some time.

"It nearly left Reese speechless. Here she was, wondering exactly how you speak to a princess and here was Kate, practically intimidated at meeting her!" a source told National Enquirer.

Catherine proceeded to ask Reese about several of her movies. She was said to be particularly keen to hear what it was like to work with Robert Pattinson on Water for Elephants.

"These ladies are a mutual appreciation society," the insider laughed. (C) Cover Media