Queen Elizabeth II Delights G7 Attendees With Perfectly Timed Quips
Queen Elizabeth II delighted those in attendance at the G7 summit with her amusing quips as she joined world leaders at the event.
The monarch attended the Eden Project in Cornwall, England, on Friday and posed for a photo alongside U.S. President Joe Biden and his G7 counterparts.
As she sat beside the seven figureheads, the Queen asked: "Are you supposed to be looking as if you're enjoying yourselves?"
This sparked laughter from those alongside her, with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson telling her: "We have been enjoying ourselves, in spite of appearances."
‘Are you supposed to look as if you are enjoying yourselves?’ - the Queen makes the leaders laugh tonight, taking centre stage pic.twitter.com/5KvwzKh6g0
— Laura Kuenssberg (@bbclaurak) June 11, 2021
A clip of this moment shared by the BBC's political editor Laura Kuenssberg has been viewed more than 300,000 times on Twitter.
Prime Minister Johnson tweeted that he and the other G7 leaders were "honored" to join the Queen and other royals at the Eden Project, which is an ecological tourist attraction housing the largest rainforest in captivity.
The Queen also sparked amusement from guests as she remarked upon using a ceremonial sword to cut a cake during her visit.
She was handed the sword by Edward Bolitho, the Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall, and subsequently went to use it to slice the cake.
"I don't think this is going to work," she said. In a clip, a voice off-camera says: "There is a knife there as well."
To this, the Queen said: "I know there is," prompting laughter from those around her.
"This is something that is more unusual."
Queen Elizabeth II insisted on cutting a cake using a ceremonial sword at an event on the sidelines of the G7 summit.
— ABC News (@ABC) June 12, 2021
When told there was a knife available instead, the monarch replied, “I know there is! This is something that is more unusual.” https://t.co/Bu2P1lVq7H pic.twitter.com/LCd8sHdGnz
She proceeded to slice the cake, with the assistance of her daughter-in-law, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, as Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, stood beside them.
The Queen also attended a summit reception hosted by Prime Minister Johnson. Prince William and Prince Charles were also in attendance.
Photos of this were shared on the Royal Family Twitter account.
The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall and The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge join @G7 leaders at a #G7UK summit reception hosted by Prime Minister @BorisJohnson at the Eden Project. pic.twitter.com/eCIIpHZsbE
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) June 11, 2021
Biden is due to have tea with Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle on Sunday, June 13. First lady Jill Biden is also due to attend.
As previously reported by Newsweek, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said earlier this week:
"The Queen will meet the President of the United States of America and first lady Jill Biden at Windsor Castle on Sunday 13th June 2021.
"Her Majesty will welcome the President and the First Lady at the dais in the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle.
Upon the President and the First Lady's arrival, a Guard of Honour formed of The Queen's Company First Battalion Grenadier Guards will give a Royal Salute, and the US National Anthem will be played.
"The President will then accompany the Officer Commanding the Guard of Honour, Major James Taylor, and Major General Christopher Ghika, to inspect the Guard of Honour, before returning to the dais to watch the military march past alongside The Queen and the First Lady.
"The President and the First Lady will then join Her Majesty for tea in the Castle."
