Why You Would Always Find Queen Elizabeth Holding Her Own Umbrella In The Rain
Max Mumby/indigo/Getty Images By Sophie McEvoy/Nov. 18, 2022 6:33 am EST
Described as an “introverted, pragmatic, logical, responsible, and emotionally stable” person by IE University, Queen Elizabeth II also had a keen sense of humor, according to royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith. “You can hear her laugh throughout that big house,” she told People, referring to the Sandringham estate. She wasn’t afraid to poke fun at herself, either, and had dozens of little quirks that made her the iconic figure she was.
Inside the palace walls, the late monarch reportedly ate a jam sandwich every day before tea, hated garlic, and loved “Downton Abbey,” per 7News Australia. She also had a glass of champagne before bed, according to her cousin Margaret Rhodes, and she loved gin and dry martinis (via Vanity Fair). When the queen attended royal engagements, she was never seen without her trusty Launer London handbag, according to People. On rainy days, she was often seen holding her own umbrella, which is always something she insisted on doing herself.
The late monarch left a lasting impression on Rankin
Alessia Pierdomenico/Shutterstock
Appearing in an episode of the “Tea with Twiggy” podcast, British photographer Rankin recalled the time he was chosen as one of 10 photographers to capture Queen Elizabeth II for her Golden Jubilee in 2002 (via the Royal Collection Trust). He photographed the former monarch in the Ballroom at Buckingham Palace, which he later edited digitally to incorporate a Union Jack flag behind her.
The portrait is believed to be one of the Palace’s favorite pictures of her “because she’s really laughing in the picture,” Rankin explained (via People). “She was just so funny from the minute she walked in.” He initially wanted to photograph her holding a sword. But, as Rankin explained, she turned down the idea as she didn’t like the way her hands looked. He found that hard to argue with. “I was like, that’s the best ‘get out’ for holding the sword,” he recalled. “I’m probably not supposed to say that, but what I loved about her is she’s so, so smart and everything that she was saying had this amazing twist to it. It was just really brilliant.” Over on his Instagram, Rankin said he felt a bit like Austin Powers at points during the photoshoot. “I started, almost like Austin Powers, ‘Ma’m, can you smile please Ma’am, Ma’am can you smile please’ & kept repeating it till she smiled once, did a massive grin, which became the shot, then a smaller smile.”
Why You Would Always Find Queen Elizabeth Holding Her Own Umbrella In The Rain
Max Mumby/indigo/Getty Images
By Sophie McEvoy/Nov. 18, 2022 6:33 am EST
Described as an “introverted, pragmatic, logical, responsible, and emotionally stable” person by IE University, Queen Elizabeth II also had a keen sense of humor, according to royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith. “You can hear her laugh throughout that big house,” she told People, referring to the Sandringham estate. She wasn’t afraid to poke fun at herself, either, and had dozens of little quirks that made her the iconic figure she was.
Inside the palace walls, the late monarch reportedly ate a jam sandwich every day before tea, hated garlic, and loved “Downton Abbey,” per 7News Australia. She also had a glass of champagne before bed, according to her cousin Margaret Rhodes, and she loved gin and dry martinis (via Vanity Fair). When the queen attended royal engagements, she was never seen without her trusty Launer London handbag, according to People. On rainy days, she was often seen holding her own umbrella, which is always something she insisted on doing herself.
Inside the palace walls, the late monarch reportedly ate a jam sandwich every day before tea, hated garlic, and loved “Downton Abbey,” per 7News Australia. She also had a glass of champagne before bed, according to her cousin Margaret Rhodes, and she loved gin and dry martinis (via Vanity Fair). When the queen attended royal engagements, she was never seen without her trusty Launer London handbag, according to People. On rainy days, she was often seen holding her own umbrella, which is always something she insisted on doing herself.
Queen Elizabeth II had a favorite brand of umbrella
Max Mumby/indigo
The late monarch left a lasting impression on Rankin
Alessia Pierdomenico/Shutterstock
Appearing in an episode of the “Tea with Twiggy” podcast, British photographer Rankin recalled the time he was chosen as one of 10 photographers to capture Queen Elizabeth II for her Golden Jubilee in 2002 (via the Royal Collection Trust). He photographed the former monarch in the Ballroom at Buckingham Palace, which he later edited digitally to incorporate a Union Jack flag behind her.
The portrait is believed to be one of the Palace’s favorite pictures of her “because she’s really laughing in the picture,” Rankin explained (via People). “She was just so funny from the minute she walked in.” He initially wanted to photograph her holding a sword. But, as Rankin explained, she turned down the idea as she didn’t like the way her hands looked. He found that hard to argue with. “I was like, that’s the best ‘get out’ for holding the sword,” he recalled. “I’m probably not supposed to say that, but what I loved about her is she’s so, so smart and everything that she was saying had this amazing twist to it. It was just really brilliant.” Over on his Instagram, Rankin said he felt a bit like Austin Powers at points during the photoshoot. “I started, almost like Austin Powers, ‘Ma’m, can you smile please Ma’am, Ma’am can you smile please’ & kept repeating it till she smiled once, did a massive grin, which became the shot, then a smaller smile.”
The portrait is believed to be one of the Palace’s favorite pictures of her “because she’s really laughing in the picture,” Rankin explained (via People). “She was just so funny from the minute she walked in.” He initially wanted to photograph her holding a sword. But, as Rankin explained, she turned down the idea as she didn’t like the way her hands looked. He found that hard to argue with. “I was like, that’s the best ‘get out’ for holding the sword,” he recalled. “I’m probably not supposed to say that, but what I loved about her is she’s so, so smart and everything that she was saying had this amazing twist to it. It was just really brilliant.”
Over on his Instagram, Rankin said he felt a bit like Austin Powers at points during the photoshoot. “I started, almost like Austin Powers, ‘Ma’m, can you smile please Ma’am, Ma’am can you smile please’ & kept repeating it till she smiled once, did a massive grin, which became the shot, then a smaller smile.”
