SHOCKING REVELATIONS: The Royal House Guests Who Drove Queen Elizabeth II to Her Breaking Point—One Visitor Left Her “Angrier Than Ever”!
The Royal house guests from hell – including the visitor who made Queen Elizabeth II ‘angrier than ever’ – revealed in new Mail podcast
As the Royal Family prepare to welcome Donald Trump on a state visit to Britain, the Mail has been exploring the history of VVIPs who have received the grandest welcome the country can bestow. And not all of them have left a favourable impression on their hosts. Some were disasters.
In this week’s episode of the hit podcast, Queen’s Kings and Dastardly Things, Mail columnist Robert Hardman and historian Professor Kate Williams discuss how one guest appalled the late Queen by smuggling a dog inside Buckingham Palace.
It was the 1970s, when the whole of Europe was fighting the scourge of the killer disease, rabies, spread by the bite of an infected animal. Britain had managed to stay rabies-free due to draconian rules on animal movements.
This included holding pet dogs in a strict six month quarantine to make sure they were rabies free.
In 1973, the Tory Government of Edward Heath invited the African dictator President Mobutu of Zaire, to Britain in the hope of securing lucrative contracts for a new power plant.
The despot arrived for his state visit with his wife who shared a name with another infamous leader’s spouse – Marie-Antoinette.
No sooner had the couple arrived at the palace the royal kitchen received a call from Marie-Antoinette asking a footman – not to bring cake – but a plate of raw meat.
The palace staff were slightly baffled by the request but nevertheless obliged and made their way to the Belgian suite at Buckingham Palace where the couple were saying.
+3
View gallery
Queen Elizabeth II in the 1970s. The monarch had to put up with her fair share of bizarre state visits during the decade
+3
View gallery
President Mobutu visited Britain for a state visit in 1973 in the hopes the UK could secure lucrative deals to construct a new power plant
+3
View gallery
Queen Elizabeth II with President Mobutu of Zaire and his wife Marie-Antoinette. The Queen became very angry with the couple after they smuggled a dog into Buckingham Palace
When the servant dropped off the food, he discovered that this honoured guest had somehow smuggled a small pet dog in her luggage.
This was reported to Queen Elizabeth II who was so vexed by their behaviour that multiple members of palace staff claimed they had never seen her so angry.
Her instant response was to ‘get that dog out of my house’ and for their own safety the Queen’s beloved corgis were whisked off to Windsor.
It completely spoiled the atmosphere of the trip and caused a minor diplomatic incident which Mobutu tried to explain away during a speech at 10 Downing Street.
He claimed that his wife’s pet pooch was of British heritage and she wanted to show the dog its homeland.
To round off what was a pretty disastrous state visit, Mobutu went home to Zaire with £1million as a down payment for the power plant but the UK never received the contracts.
This week’s podcast also delves into the story of the Shah who cooked a sheep in his rooms and the bizarre moment Jimmy Carter tried to snog the Queen Mother.
To learn more about the Royal Family’s state visits from hell search for Queens, Kings and Dastardly Things – wherever you get your podcasts.
News
Prince and Princess of Wales named in Time’s 100 most influential philanthropists
Prince and Princess of Wales named in Time’s 100 most influential philanthropists An honour for William and Kate Time Magazine has released its annual awards and amongst the 100 names in the Philanthropy category is The Prince and Princess of Wales. The magazine has praised William and Catherine as innovators for ‘modernising royal philanthropy’. The […]
“THE PHOTO THAT SAYS IT ALL”: A Hidden Family Moment From 1991 Resurfaces — And Royal Fans Are In Tears
💫👩👧👧 “THE PHOTO THAT SAYS IT ALL”: A Hidden Family Moment From 1991 Resurfaces — And Royal Fans Are In Tears One image. Two decades. Three unbreakable hearts. A mother and her daughters, frozen in time — and then reunited in the spotlight. This isn’t just a family photo — it’s a legacy. 📸 Two […]
Jayne Torvill STUNS Viewers as She Confronts Christopher Dean Over Body-Shaming Joke
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy ‘Mine isn’t’ Torvill hits back at Dean over claims ‘bodies are different’ The Dancing On […]
After 40 Years Side-by-Side, Torvill and Dean Face Their Most Difficult Challenge Yet….
Dancing On Ice legends Torvill and Dean kept apart for first time in 40 years Dancing On Ice judges Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean will be socially distancing on the 2021 series and be kept apart for the first time in four decades Dancing On Ice legends Torvill and Dean kept apart for first time […]
Christopher Dean Speaks Out on the REAL Reason Caprice and Hamish Suddenly Split — And It’s Not What You Think
Dancing On Ice’s Christopher Dean speaks out on why Caprice ‘parted ways’ with Hamish LOOSE WOMEN continued this afternoon with Dancing On Ice judges and skating extraordinaires, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, live in the studio to talk about all the backstage gossip. Dancing on Ice: Torvill and Dean discuss Caprice and Hamish More Videos […]
TORVILL & DEAN TO FANS: ‘WE’RE DONE PERFORMING’ — What This Means for the Future of Dancing On Ice….
Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean reveal that if Dancing On Ice continues beyond new series they ‘won’t perform in it’ – after their retirement plans and falling ratings cast doubt on the skating show’s future Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean have revealed that if Dancing On Ice does continue beyond the upcoming series, they will no longer […]
End of content
No more pages to load
