The children of Queen Elizabeth have shared their favourite memories of their mother’s sense of humour, love of family vacations, and “fantastic twinkle.”
Bath time to remember
King Charles recalled an event that occurred prior to Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953.
“I’ll never forget having a bath with her when we were small and she came in practising wearing the crown before the coronation,” he said.
“I will never forget all of those wonderful moments.”
Charles was just three years old when his mother ascended to the throne. Now 73, he has had more training in the lead up to becoming King than any other British monarch.
But he will miss having his mother to talk to: “She was always there, I could talk to her about this, that, or the other. I think that’s always going to be something that will be very difficult not to have.”
Private family vacations
During a life of public service, moments of privacy were treasured, and they were often found in family holidays, the Queen’s only daughter, Princess Anne, said.
“There was a lot going on in those periods… it was probably the times she most enjoyed,” the 72-year-old Princess Royal told the media.
“Partly because it included all the things she enjoyed – the countryside, the dogs, the horses, and just being out and about – and being able to get away a bit from that public gaze.”
They simply couldn’t believe it.
The Queen’s youngest son recalled “probably the most jaw-dropping moment in any film television production”: her entrance to the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games.
A short film depicts the Queen meeting Daniel Craig, who played the famous secret agent James Bond in five films, at Buckingham Palace.
The monarch boards a helicopter with corgies in tow and then skydives into the Olympic stadium, assisted by a stunt double.
“There was Daniel Craig in the role of James Bond, arriving at Buckingham Palace… and everyone, no matter where you were in the world, was wondering the same thing: who would play the Queen? And it was the Queen,” said Prince Edward, 58.
“And it had the same effect on everyone watching; they couldn’t believe it.”
“I thought it was a fantastic moment because it just showed that fantastic twinkle and sense of humour – the fact that my mother kept that completely to herself, and the team didn’t tell anyone was just brilliant.”
