# Is there any way I could ever meet the Queen of England? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 15, 2000, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-i-could-ever-meet-the-queen-of-england/45820 "2000-12-15T23:55:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2000, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-i-could-ever-meet-the-queen-of-england/45820/1 "2000-12-15T23:55:36Z")
Hubby and I debated this the other night. Is there any way an American commoner with nothing particular to recommend her could ever meet the Queen? I’m not talking about an audience, just a simple handshake in a reception line, or something like that. Maybe attend some charity function where the Queen is present? ---
**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2000, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-i-could-ever-meet-the-queen-of-england/45820/2 "2000-12-16T00:14:46Z")
You could always get yourself knighted. That’s my plan, but by the time I can pull it off, it’ll probably be King Charles III that would do the honors. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2000, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-i-could-ever-meet-the-queen-of-england/45820/3 "2000-12-16T00:38:48Z")
Queen Elizabeth II is the patron of over 700 hospitals, charities, academies and societies. Write a big enough check to any of them and she’ll be happy to let you deliver it to her personally. ---
**Author:** ![Extant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Extant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Extant)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2000, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-i-could-ever-meet-the-queen-of-england/45820/4 "2000-12-16T02:20:56Z")
President Clinton met her this week. Just hang out with him, and ask for an intro. ---
**Author:** ![DAVEW0071](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e19b73/32.png) [@DAVEW0071](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DAVEW0071)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2000, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-i-could-ever-meet-the-queen-of-england/45820/5 "2000-12-16T03:19:15Z")
Actually, Lizzie’s coming over to my place for a little poker and some brewskis next Tuesday. Drop by and I’ll introduce you. ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2000, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-i-could-ever-meet-the-queen-of-england/45820/6 "2000-12-16T03:39:10Z")
Dave, Shall I bring the bean dip and pigs in a blanket, or will they be provided? ---
**Author:** ![Odieman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a87d85/32.png) [@Odieman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odieman)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2000, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-i-could-ever-meet-the-queen-of-england/45820/7 "2000-12-16T03:44:49Z")
I made Price Phillip laugh once, unfortunately Lizzie was Not Amused. Keith ---
**Author:** ![DAVEW0071](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e19b73/32.png) [@DAVEW0071](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DAVEW0071)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2000, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-i-could-ever-meet-the-queen-of-england/45820/8 "2000-12-16T04:11:48Z")
Lissa, Thanks for asking. You’re in charge of the Beer Nuts. Her Majesty really digs 'em, so bring three or four of the big 1 lb. cans. 'Kay? Try to get there around 7:30 or so. Dress is casual tiara, opera gloves and bowling shoes. ---
**Author:** ![Montfort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Montfort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Montfort)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2000, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-i-could-ever-meet-the-queen-of-england/45820/9 "2000-12-16T07:21:20Z")
I hear that two of her kids are single. Maybe you can pull a Wallis? ---
**Author:** ![beergeek279](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ea924/32.png) [@beergeek279](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beergeek279)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2000, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-i-could-ever-meet-the-queen-of-england/45820/10 "2000-12-16T10:35:09Z")
> [@](#): > > You could always get yourself knighted. That’s my plan, but by the time I can pull it off, it’ll probably be King Charles III that would do the honors. You don’t have to go to all the trouble of getting knighted…earning an MBE should be sufficient! And water, if you want to be knighted, better start throwing them u’s into words like honors 😉 ---
**Author:** ![melchizedek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7cd45c/32.png) [@melchizedek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melchizedek)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2000, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-i-could-ever-meet-the-queen-of-england/45820/11 "2000-12-16T11:03:45Z")
You could always break into Buck House and have a chat with her in her bedroom, like some guy did about 10 or 15 years ago… Quick Hijack… If Charles makes it to the throne, it has been rumoured that he will not be Charles III, but George VII… this is due to the bad publicity the other Kings Charles had… It’s quite common… ahem… sorry, not unusual for the Heir to the Throne to change their name… ---
**Author:** ![zen101](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c68b51/32.png) [@zen101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zen101)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2000, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-i-could-ever-meet-the-queen-of-england/45820/12 "2000-12-16T11:05:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by melchizedek \* > \*\*You could always break into Buck House and have a chat with her in her bedroom, like some guy did about 10 or 15 years ago… > > \*\* You beat me to it. Buckingham security sucks, or at least did up until’ that point. ---
**Author:** ![Spiny\_Norman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@Spiny\_Norman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiny_Norman)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2000, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-i-could-ever-meet-the-queen-of-england/45820/13 "2000-12-16T12:57:58Z")
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark still hold public audiences. [http://www.kongehuset.dk/audienser/index.html](http://www.kongehuset.dk/audienser/index.html) (Sorry, in Danish). January 8th & 22nd, 10:00 - be there at 09:45. Don’t expect to be shaking hands or socializing, however - these are formal affairs. Correct attire and behavior, no snapshots - but I believe they’ve abandoned the requirement to walk backwards out of the audience room. S. Norman ---
**Author:** ![evilbeth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/evilbeth/32/2268_2.png) [@evilbeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/evilbeth)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2000, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-i-could-ever-meet-the-queen-of-england/45820/14 "2000-12-17T04:47:06Z")
Well, it wasn’t a handshake but I took a snapshot of the Queen the last time I was in England (about 10 years ago). We were outside Buckingham Palace and my younger brother and cousin were there. (They were about 10-11 years old). One of the guards told my brother that if he waited around for a few more minutes, he would get to see something great. So we waited and a few minutes later a huge caravan of vehicles drove up to the palace. We were looking for maybe Diana or Fergie or someone. But right in the middle of the caravan was a muddy, green SUV and inside was the Queen! We snapped a picture as she drove by. Apparently, the Queen had been out visiting with orphans or something and the car was completely covered in mud. I’ll see if I can dig up the picture and find a scanner. It isn’t very exciting but it is the Queen! ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2000, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-i-could-ever-meet-the-queen-of-england/45820/15 "2000-12-17T04:55:05Z")
A few weeks ago a guy walked right up to the Queen on the street and handed her a bouquet of lovely golden flower buds. Her Majesty seemed pleased to receive them from her loyal subject. Her picture holding them was snapped and published in the newspapers. Immediately the truth came out about exactly what those buds were – _Cannabis sativa_! The bloke who gave them to her was a Hemp Rights activist. He got exactly the publicity he was after. ---
**Author:** ![StephenG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@StephenG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StephenG)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2000, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-i-could-ever-meet-the-queen-of-england/45820/16 "2000-12-17T05:50:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by waterj2 \* > \*\*You could always get yourself knighted. That’s my plan, but by the time I can pull it off, it’ll probably be King Charles III that would do the honors. \*\* Generally speaking, the British monarch only confers knighthood upon citizens of the realm. However, [this site](http://www.royal.gov.uk/faq/honour2.htm) says: > [@](#): > > Foreign citizens occasionally receive honorary knighthoods; > they are not dubbed, and they do not use the style ‘Sir’. Such > knighthoods are conferred by The Queen, on the advice of the > Foreign and Commonwealth Office, on those who have made an > important contribution to relations between their country and > Britain. Foreign citizens with knighthoods include the former US > Secretary of State Caspar Weinberger, Chancellor Kohl and > President Mitterrand. Good luck, **Lissa** and **waterj2**! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Major\_Feelgud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3be4f8/32.png) [@Major\_Feelgud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Major_Feelgud)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2000, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-i-could-ever-meet-the-queen-of-england/45820/17 "2000-12-17T06:00:46Z")
I met Prince Philip once more than 25 years ago. It’s not that difficult to meet the Royals, especially Prince Charles and down. All you need to do is to find some function or opening that they’re going to be at. Line up with the thousands of other commoners and chances are they will stop for a photo op before going in. That’s how I got to meet him. Of course the best chances are if you’re in England. And of course that was 25 years ago, I don’t know if security has really tightened up so much that that’s not possible anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Major\_Feelgud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3be4f8/32.png) [@Major\_Feelgud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Major_Feelgud)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2000, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-i-could-ever-meet-the-queen-of-england/45820/18 "2000-12-17T06:03:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by melchizedek \* > \*\* > If Charles makes it to the throne, it has been rumoured that he will not be Charles III, but George VII… this is due to the bad publicity the other Kings Charles had… It’s quite common… ahem… sorry, not unusual for the Heir to the Throne to change their name… \*\* I really doubt that. OK, so Charles I was beheaded and Charles II wasn’t that great. But there were a lot of scandalous Georges too, including the Duke of Windsor. The #1 name to avoid John. But there are other good names, William comes to mind, Richard’s not bad either. ---
**Author:** ![greeny2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c5a1d2/32.png) [@greeny2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/greeny2)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2000, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-i-could-ever-meet-the-queen-of-england/45820/19 "2000-12-17T06:21:19Z")
I can introduce you if you’d like. I’m her royal Avon representative, and I’ll be delivering eyeshadow and air fresheners in a fortnight. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2000, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-i-could-ever-meet-the-queen-of-england/45820/20 "2000-12-17T08:35:11Z")
> [@](#): > > But there were a lot of scandalous Georges too, including the Duke of Windsor…Richard’s not bad either. The Duke of Windsor was an _Edward_, not a George. _Richard II_ and _Richard III_ were both overthrown. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-i-could-ever-meet-the-queen-of-england/45820.md?page=2)