Royals

Queen Elizabeth II loved ‘gossip’ during her time with guests

Queen Elizabeth II was welcoming towards her guests as a part of her routine

Published May 22, 2026

Queen Elizabeth II had a knack for a gossip, says a former royal butler.

Her Majesty, who passed away in 2022, insured her guest always had something to drink during their chatting sessions.

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Former royal butler Julius Smith said “she used to love to gossip.”

He added that the Queen wouldn always ensure her guests had a glass full “even if they attempted to stop the pouring with their hands.”

“She would say to pour it in through their fingers!” Smith said.

“She certainly wouldn’t be drinking and things like that as part of the routine,” Smith said

.“She was very keen on white bread with jam and butter,”

Meanwhile, King Charles is particular about his drinks and prefers ‘early grey’ tea.

“You don’t need to waste his time offering things and asking questions because you already know what he likes,” he said.

Queen Elizabeth II once fawned over the strength her husband, Prince Philip had given her.

The former monarch admitted the ex Duke of Edinburgh was her strength on her Golden Wedding Anniversary.

In his book The Queen: 70 Chapters in the Life of Queen Elizabeth II, author Ian Lloyd shared: "Neither of them was ever comfortable wearing their hearts on their sleeves but on the day they celebrated their Golden Wedding in November 1997, The Queen paid a rare public tribute to her husband."

"He is someone who doesn't take easily to compliments but he has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know."

Eleen Bukhari
Eleen Bukhari is a London-based journalist and MSc graduate from Brunel University with over five years of experience. Specialising in the British Royal Family and global entertainment, she provides expert analysis of monarchy traditions, celebrity culture, and the evolving media narratives surrounding the world’s most high-profile figures.
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