The late Queen Elizabeth II kept her major television role a secret not only from the British public but also from the entire Royal Family. Her sense of humour became evident after it was revealed she played a key part in the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony.
During the event, the Queen took part in a James Bond sketch alongside Daniel Craig, who arrived at Buckingham Palace to escort her to the games. Her Majesty appeared to parachute into the stadium for the evening's entertainment, a moment that surprised viewers at home.
Secret Kept From Family
According to her former communications and press secretary, Ailsa Anderson, the moment was kept a closely guarded secret. During a 2024 interview, she reflected: "Danny Boyle approached the palace, and the Queen was asked, and she didn't hesitate; she said yes."
Anderson added on Hello's A Right Royal Podcast: "It was obviously all under wraps; no one knew about it, including the family." She continued: "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."
Family Reactions
Prince Harry told BBC News: "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."
Prince William added: "To be honest, we were kept completely in the dark about it; that's how big the secret was." Princess Eugenie, speaking on the White Wine Question Time podcast, said: "Nobody knew… it was amazing. We were all surprised."
Anderson concluded: "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."
