Royal Grandson Reveals Family's Shock at Queen's Secret Bond Stunt
As the nation prepares to commemorate what would have been Queen Elizabeth II's 100th birthday next week, a new BBC documentary offers fresh insights into the monarch's life, including the astonishing subterfuge behind her iconic James Bond moment at the 2012 Olympics. Peter Phillips, the Queen's grandson, has spoken exclusively about the family's reaction to the secret stunt, describing it as a revelation that left them utterly amazed.
"Sheer Amazement" at Olympic Surprise
In the documentary, Peter Phillips recounts watching the 2012 Olympics opening ceremony with the rest of the nation, gripped by the scene where the monarch appears to parachute into the stadium with Daniel Craig's 007. He reveals that even the royal family were kept completely in the dark about the extraordinary performance. "When the clip first started, we were like, 'I wonder who they've got playing the Queen?' And then she turned around. And we were like 'wow'. It was sheer amazement," Phillips says. "That was one of the best-kept secrets, because literally nobody knew."
The tribute film, airing tomorrow, takes viewers through key moments of her reign, featuring contributions from leaders, celebrities, experts, and loved ones. Queen Camilla speaks of her deep admiration for her late mother-in-law, highlighting Elizabeth II's unparalleled sense of duty. Reflecting on the Queen's decision to join the Auxiliary Territorial Service during World War II, becoming the first female royal to serve full-time in the army, Camilla notes, "I think duty has over-ridden everything. I don't think I've ever seen anybody have a sense of duty like she had."
Global Tributes to a Beloved Monarch
Former US President Barack Obama echoes this sentiment, praising the late Queen's "combination of a sense of duty, with a very human quality of kindness and consideration and a sense of humour." He adds, "I think that's what made her so beloved, not just in Great Britain but around the world." Former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair also expresses deep respect, stating, "She was not a queen, but the queen. I don't think we'll see her like again."
Camilla recalls the joy of celebrating the Queen's platinum jubilee in February 2022, as the Covid pandemic waned, just months before her death. "I remember there were thousands and thousands of people lining the streets and lining The Mall - we were all looking for something to cheer us all up," she says. "People hadn't been out, they'd been stuck in their houses so it was an incredible jubilee. She was very much centre stage, I've never seen anything like it. Everybody was in a good mood."
Helen Mirren on the Queen's Profound Duty
Actress Helen Mirren, who won an Oscar for her portrayal of Elizabeth II in The Queen, agrees that the monarch's sense of duty was innate. She reflects on the Queen's death in 2022, saying, "She'd become such an intrinsic part of the tapestry of our life, it was as if you were going to pull a thread and the whole thing was going to fall apart." To prepare for the 2006 film, Mirren studied hours of footage, including clips of the Queen as a child. She laughs when shown an archive reel of a three-year-old Elizabeth, noting, "I've never seen this before, so young! And her hair is almost the same as when she died. That's incredible."
Mirren also highlights a clip of Elizabeth around age 10, explaining, "When I played the Queen I watched a particular piece of film over and over again of her getting out of a big black car. You see how she steps forwards and does what she knows she's supposed to do, which is shake hands. She naturally had a sense of self control and duty." This composure was evident when her father, George VI, died suddenly in 1951, as she returned to Britain and calmly greeted politicians despite her grief.
Challenges and Triumphs of a Reign
Throughout her life, Elizabeth faced numerous difficult times, including the breakdowns of three of her children's marriages in one year and the loss of loved ones. When her husband of 73 years, the Duke of Edinburgh, died during the pandemic, she adhered to rules and sat alone at his funeral, a moment that Peter Phillips recalls with sadness, saying he wanted to "give her a hug." However, she also faced criticism, particularly after Princess Diana's death in 1997, when she remained at Balmoral for over a week.
BBC royal presenter Kirsty Young remembers, "There was tangible anger. Whether it was the flag being brought down to half mast or the Queen making a statement, these things were not happening. There was radio silence. There was a sense in which people might almost storm the gates of the palace." Yet, the Queen turned public opinion around with a heartfelt TV broadcast. Young describes her as "quietly radical," adding, "I think the address by the Queen after the death of Diana illustrated beautifully that she had an ear to the public and that she was willing to do things that had never been done before."
Legacy of a Private Life Revealed
Sir David Attenborough, born just weeks after the Queen, recalls his time running the BBC in the late 1960s when it was decided the royals needed to become more relatable. This led to the documentary Royal Family, an early reality TV show that attracted over 30 million UK viewers. "There was a feeling that the royal family was getting a bit remote and I remember the discussions we had in the BBC, that the image of the family should be softened in some way," Sir David explains. However, the Queen later regretted the decision, and the series has been locked away in the royal archives since the 1970s.
Tonight's documentary will feature rare clips from that series, showing a relaxed Prince Philip cooking sausages and the Queen laughing with her children. Queen Elizabeth II: Her Story, Our Century airs on BBC1 at 9pm on Sunday, offering a comprehensive look at a monarch whose legacy continues to inspire awe and admiration.
