Following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, the world has been reflecting on her many accomplishments during decades of service. As Britain's longest serving monarch, Her Majesty saw the nation through times of hardship and celebration. She also headed up the royal family, supported hundreds of charities, and carried out her duty honourably, to name a few of her achievements.
But the monarch will also be remembered for her keen sense of humour, which warmed the hearts of many throughout her life. From her witty comebacks to sassy comments, she often injected her personality into her work, much to the delight of those around her.
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Here we look back on eleven of Queen Elizabeth's most well-loved one-liners, which are a testament to her powerhouse personality.
1. The Queen once hilariously pranked two American tourists, according to her former protection officer Richard Griffin. In an interview with Sky News, he recounted coming across a pair of hikers, while accompanying Her Majesty on a walk around the grounds of Balmoral Castle.
When the duo failed to recognise the Queen, she saw an opportunity to have some fun. The plucky tourists asked the Queen, who they thought was another visitor, if she lived in the area. In response, she told the truth, revealing she had a house "over the hill" - but leaving out one important detail. Still not catching on, they asked if she had ever met the Queen, prompting her brilliant reply. "As quick as a flash, she said 'Well I haven't but Dick here meets her regularly,'" according to Richard. The encounter ended with the pair snapping a selfie with the protection officer, then going on their merry way none the wiser.
2. The Queen did not hold back her words, even when in the company of politicians, according to Robert Hardman’s 2011 book Our Queen. During an event in 1987, the Queen was made aware that then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was feeling unwell, which was not the first she had suffered during Her Majesty's presence, as she is reputed to have fainted during their first meeting. On the second occasion, it is reported the Queen turned to a guest and said: "Oh look, she's keeled over again."
3. Her majesty also understood she could say a lot by only saying a little, as she proved when posing for a portrait to mark her 80th birthday.
While being filmed, the Queen said she could see herself ageing, but when quizzed: "Does that upset you?", she quickly cut to the chase, answering: "Nah."
4. When quizzed by a guest keen to know why the Queen was carrying her purse around with her at Buckingham Palace, she gave the perfect answer: "This house is very big, you know."
5. Cast your mind back to the summer of 2013, and you'll remember royal baby buzz was only rising and rising as the Prince and Princess of Wales prepared to welcome their first child. When prompted for any hints during an event, the Queen responded: "I hope it arrives soon because I’m going on holiday."
6. Another witty one liner occurred when the Queen was watching the Everly Brothers during a Royal Variety Performance, according to The Wicked Wit of Queen Elizabeth I .
Keen to share her thoughts on the performance, Queen Elizabeth said a rendition of "Cathy's Clown" sounded like "two cats being strangled".
7. During a welcome ceremony at the White House, then-President George W. Bush accidentally misspoke, declaring that the Queen had celebrated the US bicentennial in 1776 rather than 1976. But the Queen did not let the mistake slide, instead she saw her opportunity at a dinner held two days later. Opening her speech with what many agreed was the best joke of the night, she said: "I wondered whether I should start this toast by saying, 'When I was here in 1776 ...'"
8. While filming a documentary, the Queen once gave royal commentator Alastair Bruce a rare insight into what it is like to wear a crown. But, of course, she did so in her own witty way.
She revealed: "You can’t look down to read the speech - if you did, your neck would break."
9. Much of the Queen's humour was conveyed through her no-nonsense attitude. Take for instance her visit to Niagara Falls during a trip to Canada. When asked what she made of the landmark, she simply replied: "It looks very damp."
10. During the 2016 Chelsea Flower Show, the Queen made the most of an opportunity to display her wicked sense of humour. After being told about the poisonous properties of lily of the valley, she quipped: "I've been given two bunches this week. Perhaps they want me dead."
11. And who could forget the Queen's hilarious comeback when a guard stopped her while trying to drive into the Royal Windsor Horse Show. Having not recognised her, it is reported he told Her Majesty: "Sorry, love, you can’t come in without a sticker." Her brilliant response: "I think if you check, I will be allowed to come in.”
