Gyles Brandreth has painted a sweet picture of Queen Elizabeth II's caring relationship with Prince Philip.
The broadcaster and author of Elizabeth: An Intimate Portrait appeared at Good Housekeeping Live, in partnership with Dyson, where he spoke on stage in front of 200 readers, while in conversation with GH’s Editorial Director, Gaby Huddart.
Speaking to the audience, Gyles described how he was given rare, privileged access to the Royals, and spent a lot of time with them while he was writing his previous book about them.
On one occasion, Gyles had attended the Dyson factory in the West Country with the late Queen and King, while they were on royal duties.
After carrying out their duties, Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh got into their royal limousine, with Gyles following in the car immediately behind them, alongside the Queen's private secretary and lady in waiting.
"As they got into the car, the Duke of Edinburgh started talking, and the Queen began laughing," Gyles smiled. "Then the Queen began talking and the Duke of Edinburgh began laughing."
"I watched these two elderly people for an hour, chatting to one another, laughing," he added, "This is nice. This is what it's all about. These two people have a relationship that is, for them, unique."
Gyles then mused, "The only person in the world who could treat Queen normally, as a woman, was the Duke of Edinburgh.
"And the only person in the world who could tell the Duke of Edinburgh, 'Oh Philip do shut up!' was the Queen - and she did!
"But it was those moments that they were alone together that I found particularly intriguing."
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