Walk (About) On: Her Majesty The Queen Calms Down
WE live in an age where every high street from Land’s End to John O’Groats looks the same, and the spice of regional difference is lost in the cloying custard of conformity… or something.
Even local accents are under threat, as “Estuary English” has now been noted as far north as Scotland.
So it’s good to learn that there’s one place where you can still hear an old-fashioned Liverpool or London accent. And it won’t surprise you to learn that the place in question is that bastion of tradition, Buckingham Palace.
“SCOUSE OF WINDSOR,” declares the Sun, below a picture of HRH The Queen, with a speech bubble bearing the royal legend: “Calm down, calm down.”
The story relates to an interview (“approved by the palace”) with Angela Kelly. In case that name is unfamiliar, you might know her better by her official title: Personal Assistant, Adviser and Curator to Her Majesty The Queen (Jewellery, Insignias and Wardrobe).
The paper reports that, according to Angela, the Queen is “a dead ringer for a Scouser”. And Angela should know, as she hails from the ‘Pool herself.
“I love the Queen and everything about her,” says the 55-year-old mother of three. “I adore her, then so does everyone.”
We do indeed. But what about this Scouse business?
“The Queen has a wicked sense of humour, and is a great mimic,” reveals Angela.
Well, we all know that – she’s always mimicking that bored-looking woman in a hat. You know, the one with the catchphrase, “And what do you do, then?”
But there’s more…
“She can do all the accents,” says Angela admiringly. “Including mine.”
The paper reminds us that this is “not the first time details of the Queen’s love of mimicking accents has come to light”. A few years ago Princess Michael of Kent told how the Queen “likes to put on a Cockney accent”.
Stalk On
All perfectly splendid, of course, but isn’t there a danger that all this accent-hopping might encourage her loyal subjects to become a trifle over-familiar?
Not as long as Angela is around. The paper reassures us that the personable PA “knows her place”.
“I would never overstep the mark and I remain in awe of the Queen,” she vows.
Angela allows herself a moment of melancholy, as is said to be traditional among Scousers. “If I died tomorrow,” she reflects, “my girls have been trained to make sure that the Queen’s life carries on smoothly without me.”
In the meantime, though, there is much to look forward to. “I hope the Queen and I grow old together,” she says simply.
And so say all of us. The thought of Her Majesty having to master a Polish accent at her advanced age is quite unacceptable.
This royal story is now officially finished, and you may sit down if you wish.
Posted: 10th, December 2007 | In: Royal Family, Tabloids Comments (2) | TrackBack | Permalink
