Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday (8 September), the world looks back on her record breaking 70-year reign.
In just the past 10 years, Britain's longest reigning monarch has acted with iconic British characters, elicited laughter from the world's most powerful leaders, and lit up with glee at the sight of farmyard animals. Her Majesty became known and loved for her dry sense of wit and down to earth humility.
She often shared a joke or a witty comment with those she met while performing her Royal duties, in turn breaking down the barriers of formality that come with being The Queen. As the country, and indeed the world, joins the Royal Family in mourning her loss, we have compiled a selection of some of Queen Elizabeth II's most light-hearted and humorous moments from the past decade.
READ MORE: What happens now the Queen has died - day by day plans and what Charles will do
“Cows!”
In 2016, the world was gifted perhaps one of the most heartwarming clips of Her Majesty's reign, which has resurfaced since the news of her death. In it, The Queen is visibly delighted as a herd of cattle are paraded in front her during her 90th birthday celebrations.
As the cows are brought out, she can be seen excitedly pointing them out and exclaiming “Cows!” to her late husband Prince Philip, as the smiling couple share a laugh.
"Good evening, Mr Bond."
Her Majesty has no doubt met thousands – if not millions – of people throughout her 70-year reign, including 15 Prime Ministers and 13 US Presidents. One of her more iconic – and surprising – meetings came back in 2012, as Queen Elizabeth II was introduced to none other than 007 himself.
As part of the opening ceremony for the London Olympics, The Queen was joined by Daniel Craig’s James Bond as he collected the monarch from Buckingham Palace for a short helicopter ride to the London Stadium. As the two iconic British figures meet, Craig’s Bond waits patiently by her side, before giving a subtle cough to get her attention.
Her Majesty then turns to greet him by saying one short phrase we never thought we would hear: “Good evening, Mr Bond.”
The Queen was said to be “very amused” by the idea of appearing in the segment and “agreed immediately,” according to royal dressmaker Angela Kelly. In in her memoir, The Other Side of the Coin: The Queen, the Dresser and the Wardrobe, she wrote: “I asked if she would like a speaking part [and] without hesitation, Her Majesty replied: ‘Of course I must say something.
“After all, he is coming to rescue me.’”
Daniel Craig also gave some insight into the scene while appearing on the BBC's The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show. He said: “She literally kind of said, ‘Would you like me to pretend to be writing?’ And he's like, ‘Yes, that's great, that's great.’
“So she sort of acted a bit. That was all her own stuff. It was amazing.”
Amusing world leaders at the G7 Summit
The Queen is no stranger to having her picture taken, having no doubt endured countless photoshoots with politicians and public figures throughout her royal career. In 2021, she joined world leaders including Prime Minister Boris Johnson, US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron, for the G7 summit at Cornwall’s Eden Project.
While posing alongside some of the world’s most powerful people, Her Majesty asked: “Are you supposed to be looking as if you’re enjoying yourself?” Her cheeky question was met with laughs from the leaders around her, as Johnson replied: “Yes, we have been enjoying ourselves – in spite of appearances.”
Eyeing up The Iron Throne
In 2014, pictures emerged of The Queen and Prince Philip enjoying a tour of the Game of Thrones set in Northern Ireland, where she was seen examining the legendary Iron Throne. Her Majesty had to settle for simply comparing the intimidating seat of swords to her own throne, as royal protocol forbids her from sitting on a foreign throne.
During an interview with US late night talk show host Seth Meyers, Game of Thrones co-creator David Benioff explained: “Apparently the Queen of England is not allowed to sit on a foreign throne. This is an esoteric rule we didn’t know about until that moment.”
The Queen did, however, receive a miniature replica of the Iron Throne to take home. The monarch was also introduced to fellow royalty on her tour of the fantasy show’s set, as she was introduced to Queen of Westeros, Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) and eventual King of the North Jon Snow (Kit Harrington) and his sister Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner).
A royal ‘photobomb’
The Queen made the trip up to Glasgow in 2014 for the Commonwealth Games. That day, the Australian hockey team were celebrating their 4-0 win against Malaysia on the first day of the competition. Following their win, two of the Hockeyroos posed for a selfie that immediately went viral.
As they take a picture of themselves, none other than Her Majesty herself can be seen lurking in the background and smiling to the camera, in what could be the first example of a royal ‘photobomb’. The monarch looked somewhat mischievous in the snap, as if fully aware of what she was doing.
Posting the snap on Twitter, hockey player Jayde Taylor wrote: “Ahhh The Queen photo-bombed our selfie!! #royalty #sheevensmiled #amazing”
A royal 'mic drop'
In 2016, Her Majesty was joined by grandson Prince Harry in a promotional video for the Invictus Games. In the clip, Harry receives a competitive video message from US first lady Michelle Obama, alongside her husband – President Barack Obama – and several US soldiers.
In the message, Mrs Obama says: “Hey, Prince Harry, remember when you told us to bring it at the Invictus Games?” Before her husband joins in saying: “Careful what you wish for.”
Behind them, one of the soldiers says “boom” as he performs a ‘mic-drop’. Once Harry has shown the clip to his grandmother, Her Majesty replies with: “Oh, really, please,” prompting the Prince to look directly into the camera while ‘dropping’ a ‘mic of his own.
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