Queen Elizabeth II was known for her subtle sense of humor, but she truly surprised the world at the 2012 Olympics opening ceremony. In a meticulously planned secret, she took part in a James Bond sketch, appearing to parachute into the stadium, much to the astonishment of the crowd and her own family.
Her former communications and press secretary, Ailsa Anderson, revealed on HELLO!'s A Right Royal Podcast that the entire stunt was kept under wraps, even from the Queen's own children. The idea came from Danny Boyle, the director of the opening ceremony, who approached the Queen with the proposal. She embraced the opportunity, showcasing her playful nature and willingness to surprise.
"The Queen didn't hesitate; she said yes!" Anderson shared, highlighting the Queen's enthusiasm for the project. "You looked at the expressions on people's faces, like Zara and Mike Tindall, when it looked like the Queen was parachuting out of a helicopter; no one knew! It was that element of surprise."
The surprise extended beyond the Queen's family, as even the stadium audience gasped when a stunt double portraying the Queen seemingly leaped from the helicopter. HELLO!'s Royal Editor Emily Nash, who was present at the ceremony, recounted the palpable surprise in the air.
This daring act showcased the Queen's willingness to take risks and her genuine sense of humor. As Anderson further pointed out, "I think it just demonstrated how the late Queen would take chances and also had this extraordinary sense of humour. The Paddington sketch she did at her Platinum Jubilee showed that cheeky sense of humour and her willingness to put her country before herself."
The surprise was not lost on her grandsons, Princes Harry and William, who were equally taken aback. Harry, speaking to BBC News, joked, "Both of us were slightly surprised by our grandmother's secret hobby of parachuting, which went down unbelievably well⦠She did such a good performance that she has now been asked to star in the next Bond film. You don't expect the Queen to do something like that, [but] what she does in her spare time is her spare time."
William, emphasizing the secrecy of the plan, added, "To be honest, we were kept completely in the dark about it; that's how big the secret was."
This unexpected performance at the Olympics became a defining moment for Queen Elizabeth II. It showcased not only her willingness to surprise and entertain, but also her dedication to her country and the spirit of the Olympic Games. The Queen's playful spirit and genuine sense of humor, evident in this bold stunt, cemented her place in history as a Queen who wasn't afraid to break the mold and bring a smile to the world.