Queen Elizabeth II is not only remembered for her commitment to duty but also for her wicked sense of humour. From choosing to slice a cake with a sword instead of a knife to her witty response to American tourists asking if she had met the Queen, her love for a good joke is well-known.
The late monarch famously preferred simple and straightforward dishes, packed with with fruits and vegetables. However, when she discovered an unexpected guest on her plate, she had a brilliant comeback for the palace chefs.
Ex-palace staff often provide rare insights into what it’s like to work for one of the world’s most famous families. From their preferred dishes to hilarious stories, those who have witnessed the royals behind the scenes have given us a glimpse into their real personalities away from the media spotlight.
One of the best anecdotes was shared by the Queen’s former servant, Charles Oliver, in his book Dinner at Buckingham Palace. Charles disclosed that when the Queen and her late husband Prince Philip dined together, they would keep a notepad next to their plates to jot down notes about the meal and provide feedback to the chef.
The former servant shared, “Once, on a torn-off top sheet the footmen found the dead body of a slug,” Charles added that on the note the Queen had written, “I found this in the salad-could you eat it?
This wasn’t the only time the late Queen’s fantastic sense of humour was revealed by a staff member. Angela Kelly, who worked for the Royal Family for over 25 years and was the Queen’s dresser, released her book, The Other Side of the Coin: The Queen, the Dresser and the Wardrobe, which is packed with touching stories about their close relationship.
In the book, the dresser recalled one hilarious encounter with the Queen on April Fools’ Day.
Angela travelled to Australia in 2006 for the Royal tour with the Queen and mentioned that they would see kookaburra birds. On April Fools’ Day, she bought a stuffed toy version of the bird, and convinced a “horrified” Queen that it was a dead one.
Having purchased the toy at a nearby market, Angela then placed it in a bird cage on the balcony outside the Royal suite in Governor’s House.
She remembered: “The Queen looked outside and shouted ‘It’s a kookaburra! ‘ I went to open the cage and she said loudly, ‘No! Don’t do that! It will fly away! Turning to her Majesty while trying to keep a straight face, I solemnly told her it was dead. She looked horrified as I walked towards her with outstretched arms and as she took the bird from my hands, she realised I had been winding her up.”
The Queen was certainly no stranger to a good joke and was known for her fantastic sense of humour. So much so, she had her own cheeky prank ready.
Angela went on: “‘April Fool! ‘ I said with a mischievous grin, and she only had two words for me, ‘You’re sacked!'”
“I was in fits of laughter as Her Majesty turned to His Royal Highness [Prince Philip] and said ‘Do you know what she has just done to me? Angela has had me!'”
