James Bond, Paddington, “photobombing”… the royal humor of Elizabeth II

The world joined within the mourning of the British after the loss of life, Thursday, September 8, of Elizabeth II. And within the rain of tributes paid to the queen, lots of them check with her humorousness. Like Joe Biden, Emmanuel Macron thus evoked “the humor so deliciously British” of the monarch who has, on many events, revealed a mischievous temper and a formidable sense of irony.

“Are you alleged to seem like you are having enjoyable?”, she spontaneously launched throughout an official picture of the G7, in 2021, upsetting the hilarity of the heads of state current at her facet.

Her Majesty and James Bond

However her most memorable stunt will undoubtedly stay her participation in a video shot for the opening ceremony of the London Olympics in 2012, and wherein she performs herself.

Surrounded by her favourite corgis, she receives at Buckingham Palace James Bond, performed by Daniel Craig in a tuxedo, the well-known British spy’s favourite work outfit. “Good night, Mr. Bond,” she informed him, earlier than the couple headed for a helicopter. After flying over the English capital, the 2 characters fake to leap with parachutes within the colours of the Union Jack, on the musical theme of 007, above the Olympic stadium.

Whereas the soar was clearly carried out by an expert stuntman, the queen then seems wearing the identical approach within the stands of the stadium, to the applause of an amazed crowd.

Shock look alongside Paddington

On the event of the celebrations for the 70 years of her reign, final June, the queen had reserved a brand new shock for her topics by showing alongside the Paddington bear, icon of British kids’s literature. On this clip launched within the preamble to a live performance organized in honor of its platinum jubilee, they’re seated, head to head, ingesting tea.

Whereas Paddington gives a sandwich to Elizabeth II – specifying “at all times maintain one in case of emergency” -, the queen surprises him: “Me too. I maintain mine right here”, she replies, taking out a sandwich from her purse.

This look is the final wherein the Queen performs her picture.

A royal response to the Obama couple

Between these two appearances that made the largest buzz, Elizabeth II had replied to Prince Harry, in 2016, in a promotional clip for the Invictus Video games, a world sporting occasion created by the Queen’s grandson for wounded troopers.

The video in query is a response to the Obama couple, who first drew a clip for Prince Harry. “Hey Prince Harry, keep in mind once you informed us to offer it our all for the Invictus Video games?” Michelle Obama mentioned. “Watch out what can occur to you”, provides, a bit provocatively, her husband, then the UK got here out on high in 2014, in the course of the first version of those video games, with a complete of 111 medals.

Harry seems alongside his grandmother, whom he employed for the event. As he pretends to elucidate the essence of the Invictus Video games to her, he’s interrupted by the ringing of his cell phone, which shows the phrase “Flotus” – an abbreviation in English which means “First Woman of america”. This publish comprises the video with Barack Obama. On the finish, the queen shrugs. “Oh, actually? Please,” she says in a mock dismissive tone.

“Seems like President Trump”

In 2018, whereas filming a documentary on the setting alongside the well-known British naturalist and environmental activist Sir David Attenborough, Elizabeth II, in the midst of a dialogue, was interrupted by the sound of a helicopter passing overhead.

The monarch was fast to joke in regards to the plethora of escorts who typically accompany American presidents on their journeys: “Why do they at all times go round once you wish to speak? They seem like President Trump or President Obama.”

When the Queen traps two American vacationers

The queen wasn’t simply joking about US presidential escorts. He additionally typically performed tips on full strangers. In response to an anecdote reported in 2019 by Richard Griffin, former safety officer of Elizabeth II, the latter had enjoyable with two American vacationers who had not acknowledged her whereas she was strolling on the grounds of the royal residence. of Balmoral, Scotland.

One of many two vacationers strikes up a dialog with the queen, whom he asks if she lives within the area. Elizabeth II then responds that she lives in London however that she has been coming “for 80 years” to Balmoral. “It’s essential to have met the queen?” asks the vacationer, amused. Elizabeth II instantly tells her no, however specifies that her buddy, Richard Griffin, “sees her often”.

The vacationers then ask the safety officer to have their image taken with him, entrusting their digital camera… to the queen. The vacationers take a photograph with the sovereign, with out realizing their mistake.

Following this assembly, Elizabeth II would have confided to Richard Griffin that she would have favored to be somewhat mouse to attend when the 2 guests would present these photographs to their buddies.

Her Majesty’s photobombing

The Queen additionally framed Jayde Taylor and Brookie Peris, two gamers from the Australian hockey staff, who have been taking photos in the course of the Commonwealth Video games in Glasgow in 2014.

Signing what could be probably the most vital “photobombing” in historical past, the queen seems within the background of their selfie, a giant smile on her face. Discovering the presence of the queen on the image, Jade Taylor posts the picture which finally ends up, unsurprisingly, going round social networks.

“I do not depend, me”

At a reception at Sandringham Home for members of the local people and volunteer teams, a cake celebrating her platinum jubilee is introduced to Elizabeth II. Woman Philippa Dannatt, Lord-Lieutenant of Norfolk, explains to him that the cake has been positioned on the desk in reverse in order that photographers can have a direct view of the jubilee emblem.

The queen, requested to chop a bit of the cake in entrance of the photographers, was not offended. Quite the opposite, she took the chance to launch a quip filled with self-mockery: “It doesn’t hassle me, I don’t depend me.”