Queen Elizabeth II was Britain’s longest reigning monarch before her death at 96, back in 2022. Over her years on the throne she put herself out there, making herself more relatable to the nation with her antics.
Despite the many portrayals of her on screen – from The Crown to The Queen – the late monarch didn’t particularly like having the cameras on her.
However, she occasionally allowed herself to be in on the joke and made many appearances in comedy cameos.
From having high tea with Paddington Bear to jumping out of a helicopter with James Bond by her side, Her Majesty was never afraid to get stuck in.
She often used the cameos to mark significant events, such as the Olympic Games, her Jubilee and charity events for children. We take a look at all the times the late Queen surprised the nation with shock appearances.
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Star names in the line up included Tracy Beaker actress Dani Harmer and TV legenc Harry Hill. Harry Potter trio Emma Watson, Rupert Grint and Daniel Radcliffe also showed up to see if their magic could help.
After the hilarious performance the Queen took to the stage herself to make a speech about what she had watched as Dani curtseyed while returning her purse. The crowd cheered as Her Majesty picked out her reading glasses from the bag and popped them on her face.
She said: “I’m delighted to have mu handbag back. I do like happy endings!”
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James Bond star Daniel Craig‘s and Queen Elizabeth II’s sketch for the London 2012 Olympics was a huge surprise for millions watching the opening ceremony around the world. Fans watched on as Bond picking up The Queen from Buckingham Palace to fly her in a helicopter to the Olympic Stadium and parachute out together.
The helicopter whizzed past countless unforgettable London attractions including Big Ben, the London Eye and St Paul’s Cathedral, before panning to a live view above the Olympic Stadium in Stratford. At this point, Her Majesty appears to ‘jump out of the plane’, completely beating 007 to it.
The stadium crowd then watched on as the pair floated down from the sky, making use of Union Jack-patterned parachutes. Of course, the skydiving Queen was actually a stunt double – but the eighty-six-year-old’s prank went down an absolute treat with the nation.
The Queen teamed up with Prince Harry in 2016, in the run-up to the Invictus Games which took place in Orlando, Florida. The result was a memorable 40-second skit during which the Queen reacted to the Obamas’ spoof video shown to him by Harry.
Prince Harry received a call from Barack and Michelle Obama, who playfully warn them to “bring it”, with the Queen hitting back at them, by simply saying: “Oh really… please!” The clip was then sealed by the Duke facing the camera and, gesturing the mic drop, saying: “Boom.”
One of the Queen’s most memorable cameos was when she appeared with fictional character Paddington Bear (voiced by Ben Whishaw). The adorable duo warmed the heart’s of the nation as they enjoyed afternoon tea, including a marmalade sandwich, together.
The little bear appeared to forget his manners while dining with the Queen, and chugged a whole pot of tea down like it was a pint. When he accidentally squashed his pastry, he took out his emergency marmalade sandwich.
Much to the delight of the nation, it turned out the Queen kept one on hand, too (in her handbag).
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