While other heads of state aspire to regal magnificence, Queen Elizabeth remains a bit different in that regard. This photo reminded me of my favorite story about her. It was told by one of her former "protection officers." He had accompanied her to a public gathering in the area of Balmoral, not far from one of her castles.
The Queen was dressed informally while visiting a flower show or such. While there she fell into conversation with some American tourists, one of whom asked her if she "lived around here." She told the lady that she did in fact have a place nearby.
The lady then asked eagerly whether she had ever met the queen. After a moment's consideration she replied (truthfully) "No..." Then, pointing at her protection officer she said, "But HE has!"
2022 addendum: This link should go to a tweet video with the protection officer relating the story. (slightly different from the version above, but basically the same)
Reposted from 2016 to add this photo:
Image cropped from the original.
Reposted from 2016 to add this photo:
And reposted in 2022 on the occasion of her death.
:)
ReplyDeleteThere's another story about an occasion when the Queen visited a shop in Balmoral. A tourist approached her and said, "you look just like the Queen." To which the Queen replied, "how reassuring."
ReplyDeletethat is why i have shunned fame - i just don't have the good comebacks like those there!
ReplyDeleteI-)
Lol. Something is way off with the perspective on that checkered floor there, but the joke is excellent. :)
ReplyDeleteThe bishop is safe. Queens can't move like knights.
ReplyDeleteBBC documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABgsN-tPl64 1:29:00 Royal Family (1969)
ReplyDeleteAfter such a long reign, I imagine that even many Americans have come to think of her as "our" queen, too.
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/imranahsanmirza/status/1568733993218248706
ReplyDeleteTho' I'm not a Monarchist, I did like The Queen. It blows my mind that she met 13 different US Presidents (tho' not LBJ). I wonder if there's any American who could equal / beat that...
ReplyDeleteperhaps the late sen. strom thurmond comes close. lived to 100. i recall there being some reference to him having met half (? or some other absurdly high %) of all who ever served as Senators in US govt.
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