The times that The Queen made us laugh

Stunts with a secret agent, sassiness to heads of states and a shared joke with Sir David Attenborough

The Queen ‘always’ carried a marmalade sandwich with her, she told Paddington Bear(Image: BBC)

Wherever she went, Queen Elizabeth II always lit up any room she was in – and those close to her said she a lovely sense of humour.

But while there’s great sadness at her death at the age of 96, Royal fans can take comfort in remembering the times Her Majesty has made us smile and even double take before sending people into fits of laughter.

We’ve scoured some of her best moments – from the time she beamed about bovines to her sassy wit towards world leaders. But first, the best place to start is when TV viewers, and indeed the rest of the world, double-taked when she came face-to-face with James Bond…

Secret agent meets ‘secret’ sovereign

The Queen first met James Bond actor Daniel Craig at the world premiere of Casino Royale in 2006(Image: PA)

The 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony will not be forgotten in a hurry. The event offered spectators across the world an insight into all the best things about our beloved country. One of those things was, of course, The Queen… but not how you’ll have seen her before.

“Good evening, Mr Bond,” the sovereign said as James Bond himself, Daniel Craig, reported for duty at Buckingham Palace. With corgis in tow, 007 and The Queen proceeded to make their way to a helicopter. The pair then went on a journey across London. After the film, titled Happy & Glorious, ended, stunt doubles of the duo parachuted into the Olympic Stadium from the helicopter, as Monty Norman’s James Bond Theme played.

Speaking about the experience, actor Daniel Craig said the Queen was “very funny” and even cracked a joke at his expense. “We were having our photograph taken, and she just went, ‘Oh no, he’s the one that doesn’t smile’,” the actor told late-night American talk show host Stephen Colbert.

‘The names Elizabeth, Queen Elizabeth. License to thrill!’

A tea party with Paddington Bear

The crowd watching a film of Queen Elizabeth II having tea with Paddington Bear on a big screen during the Platinum Party at the Palace staged in front of Buckingham Palace, London on day three of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II. Picture date: Saturday June 4, 2022.

Whilst 2022 was full of highlights from The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, there was none that surprised people as much as The Queen’s tea party with Paddington Bear. The short film, which opened proceedings, proved that the monarch was not afraid to take the mick out of herself.

Sharing afternoon tea with The Queen, Paddington reveals that he always keeps one marmalade sandwich for “emergencies”. The Queen replies “so do I”, and with a knowing look, says “I keep mine in here… for later” – pulling a sandwich from her ever-present handbag.

Following the death of Her Majesty, the clip has been posted many times across social media and will long be remembered as iconic.

“Really? Please…” *Mic drop*

In 2016, The Queen joined grandson Prince Harry in a promotional video for the Invictus Games, which also featured then US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama.

The clip shows Prince Harry receiving a video message from the Obamas, in which they deliver some fighting talk, complete with a fake mic drop – “boom”. After watching the video, The Queen responds in totally deadpan fashion: “Boom? Really? Please.”

Fighting talk, Obama, but you’ve got nothing on Her Majesty!

“Cows!”

We’ll let you watch this one for yourself. Adorable scenes at The Queen’s 90th birthday in 2016.

The sword in the cake

Who needs a knife?(Image: Getty Images)

History has taught us, over the years, that you should really not mess with a monarch with a sword. Last year, the most recent monarch proved this to be true. Cutting a cake at her Platinum Jubilee celebrations, The Queen shut down organisers after being told that there was a knife available to use. Instead, she decided to use something a little more Royal – a ceremonial sword.

When told that there was a knife she could use, The Queen replied “I know there is,” before continuing the task with the impressive blade. “This is something that is more unusual.”

All smiles… But should we be?

The Queen and G7 leaders (Image: Getty Images)

Whilst posing for a socially distanced photo with G7 leaders in June 2021, the Queen showed world leaders who was really in charge. “Are you supposed to be looking as if you’re enjoying yourself?” she asked. The leaders laughed, while former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson insisted “we have been very much enjoying ourselves – in spite of appearances”.

Two legends come face to face

Sir David and Queen Elizabeth II (Image: PA)

It was the meeting of two legends in 2018 when The Queen and Sir David Attenborough filmed documentary film, The Queen’s Green Planet. The legendary broadcaster appeared to be shocked by Her Majesty’s wicked sense of humour though.

Whilst looking at a sundial in the grounds of Buckingham Palace, The Queen told Sir David that it had been wrongly positioned in the shade. Pausing to look at the sundial, she noted: “Isn’t it good, yes,” before turning to her head gardener and asking: “Had we thought of that? That it was planted in the shade?”

She continued, “it wasn’t in the shade originally, I’m sure. But maybe we could move it.” The Queen reportedly later did have the sundial shifted.

What have been your favourite moments from Queen Elizabeth II? Let us know in the comments.