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Photographer Recalls Embarrassing Moment When He Accidentally Called Queen Elizabeth By A Nickname

Photographer David Bailey recalled how he once accidentally called Queen Elizabeth by a nickname, but she took it all in good stride.

Back in 2014, photographer David Bailey had the pleasure of capturing Queen Elizabeth at an engagement. Since he was both nervous and excited, he tried to lighten the mood by cracking a few jokes — but that ended up backfiring.

Recalling the incident to The Telegraph, the monarch was wearing a few pieces of pricey jewelry, so he made a comment about their authenticity. However, he had a slip-up and referred to the Queen as "girl," which goes against royal protocol, as members of the royal family are to be addressed as "Your Royal Highness," "Sir," or "Madam."

"I said, 'I bet that cost a few bob, girl,'" he shared. "It just came out. I call everyone 'girl.'"

Luckily, the matriarch's good sense of humor shined through. "We had a laugh," he said. "Beautiful skin, the Queen."

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The Queen is known to cause a laugh or two herself, with actor Daniel Craig revealing that she's "very funny" behind closed doors. The James Bond star noted how during their meeting, she "cracked a joke about" him.

"We're having our photographs taken and she just went, 'Oh no, he's the one that doesn't smile,'" he said. "Fair enough!"

Former royal butler Grant Harrold agrees with that notion.

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"What I remember working for them is that humorous side of her, and it's really nice to see that despite everything that's happened, she's still got that," he shared. "Obviously there's been a lot of downsides, there's been a lot of problems with members of the family and she doesn't seem to have let that stop her. That's something she's very good at."

She's even maintained a good attitude amid a few health struggles, as she recently test positive for COVID-19. It was also reported that she's stopped walking her dogs.

"The Queen is very aware that with the passage of time must come an awareness of one’s own frailties and we are very much in that moment," claimed a source. "The Queen is still utterly determined to serve to the maximum extent that she can and the renewal of her vow, dedicating her life service, is one that Her Majesty takes incredibly seriously.'