Queen Elizabeth II's hidden passion for speed that astonishes her aide
- Replies 5
Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in British history, was known for her sense of duty, dedication to a life of service, and stoic presence.
However, behind the scenes, Her Majesty had a surprising side that few saw—a penchant for speed and a love for driving, as revealed by her Australian aide, Samantha Cohen.
Samantha Cohen, an Australian who served the Queen for nearly two decades, became one of Her Majesty's most trusted confidantes.
Starting in the press office at Buckingham Palace, Cohen rose through the ranks to become the Queen's communications secretary and later her assistant private secretary.
Her unique position allowed her intimate insights into the Queen's personal life and interests.
In a candid interview with The Sunday Times, Cohen shared her experiences working closely with the Queen, describing her as 'an incredible boss' who greatly considered Cohen's family.
Cohen's duties often included joining the Queen and Prince Philip for lunch and dinner at various royal residences, where she noted Prince Philip's amusement with her Australian accent.
But it wasn't just the royal couple's appreciation for Cohen's accent that stood out.
Cohen revealed that Queen Elizabeth II had a 'gutsy' side, particularly when it came to her driving.
'She would drive her cars fast around Balmoral,' Cohen said, painting a picture of a monarch who was unafraid to put the pedal to the metal.
This revelation may surprise some, but those familiar with the Queen's wartime service might see it as a natural extension of her character.
During World War II, then-Princess Elizabeth insisted on joining the Auxiliary Territorial Service, the women's branch of the British Army.
She trained as a mechanic and learned to drive and maintain vehicles, a bold move for a young royal woman.
King George VI, Elizabeth's father, ensured she held no special rank in the Army, but she was afforded the privilege of returning to Windsor Castle to sleep after her training days.
The Queen's wartime experiences were not just about service but also a memorable night of celebration when the war ended.
Disguised in her uniform cap, she and her sister, Princess Margaret, mingled anonymously with the jubilant crowds on the streets of London.
‘I remember we were terrified of being recognised, so I pulled my uniform cap well down over my eyes,’ she said.
She described ‘lines of unknown people linking arms and walking down Whitehall, and all of us were swept along by tides of happiness and relief.’
‘I think it was one of the most memorable nights of my life.’
Have you, like Her Majesty, found a passion for something unexpected? Let us know in the comments below.
However, behind the scenes, Her Majesty had a surprising side that few saw—a penchant for speed and a love for driving, as revealed by her Australian aide, Samantha Cohen.
Samantha Cohen, an Australian who served the Queen for nearly two decades, became one of Her Majesty's most trusted confidantes.
Starting in the press office at Buckingham Palace, Cohen rose through the ranks to become the Queen's communications secretary and later her assistant private secretary.
Her unique position allowed her intimate insights into the Queen's personal life and interests.
Samantha Cohen, an Australian who worked closely with her for 18 years, shares insights into Queen Elizabeth II's hobbies and character. Credit: Shutterstock
In a candid interview with The Sunday Times, Cohen shared her experiences working closely with the Queen, describing her as 'an incredible boss' who greatly considered Cohen's family.
Cohen's duties often included joining the Queen and Prince Philip for lunch and dinner at various royal residences, where she noted Prince Philip's amusement with her Australian accent.
But it wasn't just the royal couple's appreciation for Cohen's accent that stood out.
Cohen revealed that Queen Elizabeth II had a 'gutsy' side, particularly when it came to her driving.
'She would drive her cars fast around Balmoral,' Cohen said, painting a picture of a monarch who was unafraid to put the pedal to the metal.
This revelation may surprise some, but those familiar with the Queen's wartime service might see it as a natural extension of her character.
During World War II, then-Princess Elizabeth insisted on joining the Auxiliary Territorial Service, the women's branch of the British Army.
She trained as a mechanic and learned to drive and maintain vehicles, a bold move for a young royal woman.
King George VI, Elizabeth's father, ensured she held no special rank in the Army, but she was afforded the privilege of returning to Windsor Castle to sleep after her training days.
The Queen's wartime experiences were not just about service but also a memorable night of celebration when the war ended.
Disguised in her uniform cap, she and her sister, Princess Margaret, mingled anonymously with the jubilant crowds on the streets of London.
‘I remember we were terrified of being recognised, so I pulled my uniform cap well down over my eyes,’ she said.
She described ‘lines of unknown people linking arms and walking down Whitehall, and all of us were swept along by tides of happiness and relief.’
‘I think it was one of the most memorable nights of my life.’
.png){kind=icon}
