As the nation mourns the death of Queen Elizabeth II, her brilliant sense of humour is something people are looking back on with fondness.
One of the people lucky enough to experience her sharp wit first hand was James Bond star Daniel Craig, who starred opposite Her Majesty in a comedy skit for the London Olympics and recalled a 'very funny' joke she made while having her photograph taken with him.
The 2012 sketch saw the Queen meet 007 at Buckingham Palace, before the pair headed over to Olympic Park via helicopter and a body double for the monarch parachuted down to the stadium, before the actual Queen took her seat next to Prince Philip.
Now, Craig has paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth following news she died peacefully at Balmoral surrounded by her family yesterday afternoon (8 September).
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He said: "I, like so many, was deeply saddened by the news today and my thoughts are with the royal family, those she loved and all those who loved her.
"She leaves an incomparable legacy and will be profoundly missed."
Prior to her death, Craig recalled a ‘very funny’ joke the Queen made at his expense.
Appearing on Stephen Colbert's The Late Show, Craig said: “We were having our photograph taken, and she just went, ‘Oh no, he’s the one that doesn’t smile.’”
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It turns out Craig's more solemn demeanour as Bond didn't stop the Queen recognising the actor's talents, after she broke tradition by giving him an award usually reserved for real-life spies or diplomats.
The actor received the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (CMG) for 'services to film and theatre' after playing 007 in five films over the course of 15 years.
Her Majesty's annual New Year Honours list was announced on 31 December and when you look at the 'requirements' for such an honour, it did seem like a sudden change of approach.
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According to The Royal Family's official website, CMG awards are mainly awarded to those who serve in a foreign country 'for example the work of foreign-service officers and diplomats'.
The nation mourns the death of Queen Elizabeth II today, with churches across England expected to toll their bells at noon and gun salutes fired at Hyde Park and other stations.
Prince Charles - now King Charles III - is expected to make a televised address to the nation tonight and be formally proclaimed king tomorrow.
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King Charles said in a written statement: “The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family.
“We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother.
“I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.
“During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held.”
Topics: The Queen, Daniel Craig
Anish Vij