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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Danielle Kate Wroe

Annoyed Queen told David Attenborough 'I'm trying to talk' after rude interruption

The Queen and Sir David Attenborough, both 96, are two of the UK's most-loved national treasures.

Born just weeks apart in 1926, the pair hold a special place in the hearts of many and have worked closely together during their shared decades in the public eye.

Attenborough made his first television appearance just a year after the Queen's Coronation, taking to the small screen in 1954 with the BBC documentary Zoo Quest.

David and the monarchy have grown close thanks to their charity work and shared passion for wildlife, working together on a number of projects including in 2018, when they were recording a new ITV documentary in the gardens of Buckingham Palace.

The Queen’s Green Planet featured a conversation between the Queen and the beloved nature broadcaster which focused on the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy and her love for trees.

Sir David Attenborough joins Her Majesty the Queen in the gardens of Buckingham Palace (ITV)

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While they were talking, the monarch and Sir David were rudely interrupted by a helicopter.

Unable to hide her annoyance, the Queen said: "Why do they go round and round when you want to talk?”

She then added: "Sounds like President Trump… or President Obama.” Her Majesty was referring to US presidential helicopters which have previously landed at Buckingham Palace during state visits.

The Queen also made a joke about her own death during the documentary.

Speaking about how climate change will have an impact on the trees presented to the monarch over the next 50 years, the Queen ‒ who has planted over 1,500 trees all over the world ‒ quickly quipped: "I won’t be here though."

Sir David chuckled at the joke as the Queen grinned in footage of the pair captured by ITV.

At the time, Sir David admitted in an interview with the Radio Times that he was nervous about working with the monarch.

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The Queen and Sir Attenborough have worked together several times over the years (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

He said: "Yes, there was a certain amount of apprehension because all sorts of things could have gone wrong.

“There were problems in that where the palace is, geographically, there are always police sirens and ambulance sirens that make filming difficult."

He added: "But she took it all in her stride. It was a privilege of course, a very nice occasion — and she was very gracious. She is very un-solemn, very good at putting people at ease.”

In 1986, the Queen rewarded Sir David's work with a knighthood. But a year later, they reportedly clashed while working together for a BBC production.

Sir David was reportedly told off by the Queen during filming for a broadcast after he suggested she change costume.

The naturalist reportedly suggested the outfit change because the one she was wearing clashed with the background of the shot.

According to the Radio Times, the Queen replied: "There is no pleasing you people from the media.

"I am told by one lot that I have to wear something colourful so I can be seen in a crowd; and then you come along and tell me that I have to wear something pale and nondescript.”

Attenborough also spoke about the incident in an interview with the magazine.

Sir David explained: "I picked out something that was mushroom [coloured] and we were waiting for the Queen in the East block where her apartments were and the Queen came out of this rackety old lift and she said: 'I hope you approve of my costume'."

Sir David's appreciation for the Queen was evident as far back as 1963, when he was working as a controller at the BBC.

The naturalist had become "extremely upset" after the corporation aired the controversial documentary 'The Royal Family'.

The film, which only aired once in 1969 and was later pulled by the Queen, was the first time the Royals had allowed cameras into their day-to-day life.

Royal biographer Ingrid Seward said Sir David was so concerned about the film going out he told the BBC "You’re killing the monarchy, you know, with this film you’re making."

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