Queen Elizabeth Scolding a Photographer in Rare Video Reveals a Surprising Side of Her We Never Knew
A resurfaced video of Queen Elizabeth II shutting down a photographer’s odd request has taken the internet by storm. Captured in 2007 at Buckingham Palace, the footage features the late monarch’s quick wit when American photographer Annie Leibovitz suggested that she take off her crown for a 'less dressy' look when in fact she was wearing much more extravagant Order of the Garter robes. According to the Independent, the clip, originally filmed for the BBC documentary A Year with the Queen, showed her posing for official portraits ahead of a state visit to the United States.
American photographer gets a mild scolding from the Queen for asking her to remove her crown pic.twitter.com/FPDSCCzHUo
— Fascinating (@fasc1nate) December 26, 2023
As Leibovitz directed the shoot, she suggested, “I think it will look better without the crown. Could we try without the crown? It will look better… less dressy. Because the garter robe is so…” Before she could finish, the Queen sharply replied, “Less dressy? What do you think this is?” The viral clip had royal fans praising the Queen's witty clapback. A royal watcher penned, "I salute the dare of the photographer asking the Queen to remove her crown." Another echoed, "Asking the Queen to take off her crown to be less dressy...excuse me?"
Maybe she thought the crown was just a fashion piece for her.
— Cameragirl (@SilverlyneAsugo) December 26, 2023
She didn't know that was the Queen ?
In a similar vein, one quipped, "Make it make sense." Another added, "Queen being queen. It's all love." Leibovitz later reflected on the photoshoot, recalling how formal the atmosphere was. "We were all very nervous. The Queen came down the hall and she looked a little perturbed. I knew something was up. All her dressers were about 20 feet away. No one was near her. She was coming down the hall very purposefully. As she came in she said, 'I don’t have much time.'"
Good for the Queen to stand on tradition. Photographer was way out of line
— WINNING STREAK™?? (@JodyKozlowski_) December 26, 2023
The footage also captured the Queen walking away from the shoot, adding, "I am not changing anything, I've done enough dressing like this. Thank you very much." The part however was edited in by BBC for a promotional trailer to misleadingly imply the Queen had walked out of the sitting in frustration. In reality, she had been entering the room when the video was filmed. Following public backlash, the BBC issued an apology, claiming they had misrepresented the sequence of events.
Telling the Queen to take her crown off? Dear ih dear ?
— Shield Maiden Io (@maidensheildio) December 26, 2023
This wasn’t the only time the Queen's no-nonsense attitude was caught on camera. According to Woman & Home, during her 2022 Platinum Jubilee celebrations, the Queen delighted audiences in a comedy sketch with Paddington Bear, where she revealed she kept a marmalade sandwich in her handbag. The lighthearted moment became an instant fan favorite. Simon Farnaby, who played the footman in the skit, recalled a sassy response by the Queen, "I needlessly just went up to her and said, 'Ma’am, that was fantastic.' I went, 'You’re a very good actress.' And she said, 'Well of course, I do it all the time.'"
Not just that. According to Newsweek, a different viral clip from the 1980s also highlighted her commanding presence. While attending the Royal Windsor Horse Show, a group of photographers crowded too close, blocking her view of the event. Dressed casually in a raincoat and silk headscarf, she firmly told them, "Do you mind?" The photographers quickly moved aside, while Princess Margaret, standing next to her, seemed unfazed.