New Book Reveals Queen Elizabeth’s Secret Talent — And How She Playfully Mocked Melania Trump
The book explores Queen Elizabeth’s hidden talent for mimicry and her wicked sense of humor.
A new biographical account of the late Queen Elizabeth II has pulled back the curtain on her private sense of humor, revealing that the monarch often used her sharp wit to mimic international dignitaries behind closed doors — though her antics might not sit well with Melania Trump. In the book The Queen and her Presidents, royal author Susan Page highlighted how the sovereign frequently entertained her inner circle by performing impressions of the First Lady of the United States, even going so far as to recite a dialogue from a 1932 movie to add a playful edge to her parody.
Page writes that the Queen, a “skilled mimic” in her private quarters, found Melania to be “silent and remote.” In sharing this perspective with those close to her, Elizabeth allegedly compared her to the famously reclusive Hollywood icon Greta Garbo, even delivering the star’s popular line, “I want to be alone,” from the movie Grand Hotel. The impressions reportedly stemmed from their official diplomatic introductions. The late monarch hosted Donald and Melania Trump at Windsor Castle in July 2018, followed by two subsequent meetings in 2019. Although the formal side of these visits was characterized by rigid protocol, the book suggests that the monarch’s personal assessments were considerably more colorful.
The late monarch’s passion for mimicry wasn’t limited to just one figure; in fact, over the years, those closest to her have often shared stories of her ability to channel a vast array of world leaders and celebrities. In a 2007 interview with The Sun, Elizabeth’s trusted dresser and confidant, Angela Kelly, shared that her boss was an expert impressionist who would often mimic her own staff. “We have a lot of fun together,” she remarked, adding, “The Queen has a wicked sense of humor and is a great mimic. She can do all accents—including mine.” Further evidence of Queen Elizabeth’s comedic range comes from Princess Diana’s former butler, Paul Burrell, who previously shared that the monarch “loves to hear a Scouse accent or a Birmingham accent or a Welsh accent or a Scottish accent,” noting that she would often return from travels and recreate them perfectly.
Interestingly, the art of mimicry was a childhood ambition of the late Queen — a detail shared by broadcaster Gyles Brandreth on HELLO!’s A Right Royal Podcast. Windsor Castle was the Royal Family’s safe haven during World War II, and entertainment played a huge role in keeping their resilience alive. Among the performers who visited was the famed Florence Desmond, a gifted mimic whose parodies of celebrities allegedly fascinated a young Princess Elizabeth. “Queen Elizabeth II, or she was then Princess Elizabeth, living in Windsor Castle, thought 'Ooh this is what I'd like to be. I'd like to be an impressionist,” Brandreth revealed.
The Queen didn’t just admire the craft; she mastered it. In a rare break from her composed public persona, the monarch allegedly treated Breandreth with a spontaneous performance of George Formby’s classic. “And there and then the Queen picked up an imaginary ukulele, began strumming it and singing 'When I'm Cleaning Windows' in a perfect Lancashire accent,” Brandreth said.
