Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher used to do a deep curtsy every time she had to greet the late Queen Elizabeth II.
The legendary Conservative leader showcased one of her signature curtsies even in her advanced years, as recalled by British journalist Andrew Pierce.
In the latest episode of the Reaction podcast he co-hosts with Sarah Vine, Mr Pierce recalled Mrs Thatcher’s “deepest curtsy” – which he said happened at her 80th birthday party in October 2005.
He said: “The helicopter landed in Hyde Park, the Queen and Prince Philip arrived. Mrs Thatcher did the deepest curtsy you have ever seen, at the age of 80. I didn’t think she would ever get up again.”
Margaret Thatcher and Queen Elizabeth II (Image: GETTY)
Mrs Thatcher had been pictured curtseying to the then Queen on several occasions during her years in Downing Street as well as in the decades that followed.
Margaret Thatcher welcoming Queen Elizabeth II to her 80th birthday party (Image: GETTY)
At her 70th birthday party celebrated at Claridges in 1995, Mrs Thatcher appeared to do an even deeper curtsy than the one she performed a decade later to welcome the late monarch.
Recalling the birthday party that took place two decades ago, Mr Pierce recalled the Queen holding Mrs Thatcher’s hand as they entered the Mandarin Oriental together.
Mr Pierce, who described the scene as “lovely”, added that the attendance of the late Duke of Edinburgh and monarch at the birthday party of a former Prime Minister should dispel “nonsense” rumours Queen Elizabeth II did not like Mrs Thatcher.
Margaret Thatcher did deep curtsies to welcome Queen Elizabeth II (Image: GETTY)
The late Queen, he noted, would not normally attend birthday parties of ex-political leaders.
In a break from royal protocol, which doesn’t normally see the monarch attending the funerals of non-royals, the late monarch also attended Mrs Thatcher’s funeral in September 2013.
Moreover, Queen Elizabeth II publicly displayed the respect she felt for Mrs Thatcher by honouring her with the Order of Merit, which she bestowed only on 24 living people.
