The Queen had a carefully scripted position in public life, and she frequently had to maintain a straight face. She did, however, give us a hint of her sense of humor in her final years.
Here is a look back at some of her funniest moments, including having a marmalade sandwich with Paddington Bear and photobombing Australian hockey players.
A Jubilee tea party with Paddington Bear
In a comedy that launched the BBC’s Party at the Palace honoring her 70 years as monarch, the Queen was photographed enjoying tea with Paddington Bear as part of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June.
Paddington offered her his favorite snack, a marmalade sandwich, as the celebrations were ready to get started. He pulled one out from under his renowned red hat and told her, “I always carry one for emergencies.”
“So do I,” replied the Queen, opening up her signature black handbag and taking out her own.
When the Queen met James Bond
Watch: ‘Good evening Mr Bond’ – when the Queen met 007
James Bond assisted another British legend, the Queen, in making a dramatic entry during the London 2012 Olympic Games’ Opening Ceremony.
The Queen received a visit from 007 in a comedy written and directed by Danny Boyle, and the two then left together by helicopter. Then, to the delight of the audience, she appeared to skydive into the Olympic Stadium.
Invictus Games ‘fighting talk’
Boom: The Queen and Prince Harry responded to Barack and Michelle Obama’s Invictus Games challenge
In 2016, the Queen appeared in another viral video clip – this time with her grandson Prince Harry to promote the Invictus Games.
The two people viewed a video message from Barack and Michelle Obama, the former US president and first woman, in which they challenged Prince Harry to a game of sport.
The Queen was unfazed. “Oh really, please,” she said.
Cutting a cake with a ceremonial sword
The Queen insisted on cutting a cake with a ceremonial sword at an event at the Eden Project in Cornwall.
Throughout her reign, the Queen sliced numerous cakes, once using a ceremonial sword. At a charitable gathering in Cornwall, she gave the more unconventional approach a go.
The Queen remained unfazed when a volunteer pointed her that a regular knife was available.
“I know there is,” she retorted, continuing to clutch the sword. “This is more unusual.”
Photobombing Australian hockey players
IMAGE SOURCE,JAYDETAYLOR
At the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014, two Australian hockey players were taken aback when the Queen could be seen grinning in the backdrop of their photo.
The first picture was sent to Twitter by Jayde Taylor (left), who wrote: “Ahhh The Queen photo-bombed our selfie!” The message quickly gained popularity.
Giggling at a swarm of bees
IMAGE SOURCE,CHRIS YOUNG / PA MEDIA
At hundreds of ceremonial events, the late Duke of Edinburgh was the Queen’s right-hand man.
However, a swarm of bees disrupted a military review at Windsor Castle in 2003, preventing things from proceeding as normally. The humorous aspect was seen by the royal couple and was documented by photographer Chris Young.
He told the BBC, “It was a human moment.” He was laughing as well as she was, laughing like a small child.