In James Bond Olympics scene, Queen told director 'I…

In James Bond Olympics scene, Queen told director 'I should have a line'

The nation is currently in mourning following the death of Britain's longest-reigning monarch. Queen Elizabeth II passed away at Balmoral on Thursday, September 8.

Her Majesty is currently lying in state at the Palace of Westminster in order to allow members of the public to pay their respects ahead of the funeral on Monday, September 19. Following the sad news, many have been reflecting on the Queen's remarkable 70 years of service, and the incredible people she met along the way.

Attention has also turned to two televised appearances the Queen made in recent years. Her Majesty took part in two sketches, more recently joining Paddington Bear at the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

The clip, which aired just three months ago, saw the longest-reigning monarch joke to the beloved bear that she liked to keep marmalade sandwiches in her handbag and even pulled one out to prove it. In 2012, the monarch also joined James Bond actor Daniel Craig in the now iconic Olympics opening ceremony skit. The clip saw the Queen, well actually a body double, jump out of a helicopter into the Olympic stadium.

The skit surprised viewers, but what might surprise people even more is the fact the Queen was heavily involved in the sketch, reports The Express. Writer Frank Cottrell-Boyce worked alongside Danny Boyle to bring the James Bond event to life for the Olympics, and has told how the Queen asked for a line in the short clip.

Originally, the Queen did not have any lines in the short film. Instead, Bond would simply walk in, escort her out, and get in the helicopter.

Frank explained to BBC 5 Live Radio: "I didn’t give her a line, partly because I didn’t know how to type ‘the Queen says.'" However, Her Majesty was reportedly eager to get involved in some light acting and was full of ideas for how to set up the scene.

Frank recalled: "On the day she asked for a line. She said to Danny [Boyle]: 'I think I should have a line.' So she built her own part - she really wanted to do it."

The Queen also suggested that she should be writing something at her desk when Bond walked into the room and kept her apperance secret from her family and viewers.

According to Frank, the Queen also wanted to choose the type of vehicle she would "jump out of". He said: "We took the storyboards in to show her and she had comments to make about what kind of helicopter should be used." For more showbiz and television stories, get our newsletter here.

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