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British Royals

Peter Phillips reveals the Royal Family all asked one question after Queen Elizabeth II surprised them

A man in a dark jacket and white shirt sits in a chair

Queen Elizabeth II’s eldest grandson, Peter Phillips, has revealed that the Royal Family were all asking the same question as everyone else in the world during one of the most famous moments of her historic reign.

As the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Olympics got under way, Peter Phillips shared that the tension over the famous scene involving James Bond got all the royals talking. And the question they were asking was the same as that on the lips of all viewers.

Speaking on a new BBC One programme, Peter Phillips said ”when the clip first started, we were like, we wonder who they’ve got playing The Queen and then she turned round and we were like ”wow”….it was sheer amazement….literally nobody knew.”

The famous moment came as the Opening Ceremony got under way and James Bond, played by Daniel Craig, strode into Buckingham Palace. Within seconds, the figure sat at a bureau in a peach dress turned round and Elizabeth II famously said ”good evening, Mr Bond”. She then walked to a helicopter with him before appearing to parachute into the Olympic stadium.

Peter Phillips was speaking on Queen Elizabeth II: Her Story, Our Century which explored the life of the late Monarch and the changes that she had seen during her record breaking reign, the longest in British history.

In another personal moment, Princess Anne’s son said that during Prince Philip’s funeral, he had wanted to go and give his granny a hug but social distancing meant that she sat by herself throughout the service at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor.

The programme also contained another royal revelation with Queen Camilla telling the show that she believed Queen Elizabeth II had carved her own role in a man’s world.

The BBC programme was broadcast just days before the 100th anniversary of the birth of Queen Elizabeth II and just hours after it was announced that King Charles had chosen Anna Keay to be the official biographer of his late mother.

On the anniversary of the birth of Queen Elizabeth II, the Royal Family will come together to remember her with King Charles hosting a reception at Buckingham Palace where centenarians will get their birthday telegrams and mark the anniversary.

About author

Lydia Starbuck is Editor in Chief at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.