Queen Elizabeth II has a very carefully curated public image, but what's she like when the
cameras are off?
Let's take a look at what movie star Daniel Craig had to say after working with the monarch.
To celebrate the opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Daniel Craig and
Queen Elizabeth appeared in a sketch that parodied Craig's iconic portrayal of James
Bond.
In the sketch, Craig arrives at Buckingham palace to pick up the queen.
After keeping Craig waiting while she finishes a letter, Queen Elizabeth turns to the camera
and dramatically addresses Craig as "Mr. Bond."
The sketch then made use of actors and stunt doubles to depict Bond and the Queen touring
London by helicopter before parachuting into the Olympic stadium.
The whole thing culminated in the Queen's real arrival at the stadium to greet the athletes
during the ceremony, and forever linked the real-life monarch with the world's favorite
fictional secret agent, and the actor who played him.
In January 2022, Queen Elizabeth recognized Craig with the title of CMG, or Companion
of the Order of St. Michael and St. George.
He shares this award and honor with his fictional counterpart, James Bond.
Because of his ties to Bond, Craig is also an honorary officer in the United Kingdom's
Royal Navy.
During a recent appearance on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," Craig gave host Stephen
Colbert a behind-the-scenes report of his experiences working with Her Majesty in 2012.
When Colbert asked Craig about the queen's private demeanor, the actor called the monarch
“very funny,” and noted that during their time together, the Queen even took time to
make a joke at his expense.
"We're having our photographs taken and she just went, 'Oh no, he's the one that doesn't
smile.'
Fair enough!"
The Queen was making reference to the time in 2011 when the International Business Times
reported that Craig intentionally didn't smile in photographs, because he didn't want to
encourage paparazzi to keep following him with cameras.
Despite this reputation, there are in fact many images from throughout his career which
capture Craig's dazzling smile.
Craig also told the late night host that he enjoyed playing with the queen's friendly
Corgis, who have become a major part of the Queen's public image and appeared in the 2012
Olympics sketch.
Like Her Majesty, Craig loves dogs.
In 2017, as part of a charity partnership with Omaze and United Nations Mine Action
Service, he even put himself on video cuddling dogs.
In 2020, Craig also danced with a dog to promote his hosting duties for "Saturday Night Live."
Danny Boyle, the Oscar-winning director behind films like "Trainspotting" and "Slumdog Millionaire,"
directed the opening ceremony for the 2012 Summer Olympics, and came up with the idea
for the James Bond sketch.
In an interview with The Mirror, he praised the Queen's natural ability in front of the
camera, and called her "very sharp" during the performance.
According to Boyle, the Queen only needed one take to nail her scene, and her legendary
corgis were as efficient and ready for the spotlight as she was.
But the Queen didn't just show up ready for her close-up.
She also apparently wrote her own lines for the Olympics sketch.
The queen's dresser, Angela Kelly, later told "People Magazine" that it was Her Majesty's
idea to say "Good evening, Mr. Bond," adding to the atmosphere of the scene as Bond showed
up to rescue her.
According to Boyle, the Queen even came up with the idea to be writing at a desk when
the scene began.
The Queen's additions to the sketch apparently came from a place of real excitement.
According to Royal biographer Gyles Brandreth, Elizabeth II has been a Bond fan since the
early films of the 1960s.
They even share a little bit of historical symmetry, as Ian Fleming's first James Bond
novel was released just one year after Elizabeth II rose to the throne in 1952.
Since she was poised to make her big entrance in the Olympic stadium, the queen did not
get to see her performance when it aired at the 2012 opening ceremonies, but she did enjoy
the experience.
According to the Mirror, after then-Mayor London Boris Johnson complimented her on the
sketch, the Queen replied the whole thing was, quote, "a bit of a laugh."
Check out one of our newest videos right here!
Plus, even more List videos about the Royal Family are coming soon.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel and hit the bell so you don't miss a single one.