The Queen Invites the Queen to Lunch
We’re told that bookmakers in Los Angeles are already paying out on bets that Helen Mirren will win Best Actress Oscar for her brilliant and sympathetic portrayal of the Queen.
Speculation has been rife about whether the Queen has seen the film and what she thought about it. Now it has emerged that HM has invited Mirren to lunch on her return from Los Angeles, where she is currently enjoying the run-up to tomorrow’s Academy Awards.
Royal sources say : “Helen will go as herself but the Queen is keen for her to put on the voice and do the mannerisms when they meet up. The Queen has seen the film and she thinks it is terrific. Not many people realize but the Queen has a wonderful sense of humour and will find it very funny if Helen performs for her at the table.”
Many years ago when Prince Charles was young and eligible, Helen Mirren said she would like to marry him because she would make a great Queen. Well, she made a great Queen, but not in the way she expected.
Maybe it’s better that way.
John I’m surprised HM saw the film. I thought she said she wouldn’t see it. After making this film however, I hope Helen Mirren had rethought her remark many years ago about marrying Charles.LOL
By Trudie on February 24th, 2007 at 11:32 am
I think she probably has, Trudie. I don’t think she would have enjoyed being just a Consort.
By John on February 24th, 2007 at 11:51 am
[...] The Queen Invites the Queen to Lunch Royal Anecdotes – Royal Secrets [...]
By LifeTimes » Queen Has Queen to Lunch on February 24th, 2007 at 2:51 pm
The film was hard for me to see (although I did see it), with it’s actual footage of Diana’s funeral. I was only one of many in the movie theater crying during that portion of the movie. I would think the Queen would have found that to be an ordeal. The tragedy of Princess Diana’s death was heartwrenching enough to live through, I am sure. I cannot imagine that the Queen wanted to re-live it. I wonder if Prince William and Prince Harry watched the movie, however.
By Gigi on February 24th, 2007 at 3:34 pm
The problem is, it’s not out on DVD until (I believe) March 12. I expect, though, if they asked for a copy the producer would send it to them.
By John on February 24th, 2007 at 5:23 pm
I am sure any producer of any film would jump at the chance to arrange a private screening for the Queen of England!
By Gigi on February 24th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
Gigi as much as I would like to see this film I had heard they used actual footage from Diana’s funeral. Having cried like a baby the first time around I do not think I could handle seeing it again. The sight of William and especially Harry was so heart wrenching I really am surprised HM saw the film.
By Trudie on February 25th, 2007 at 12:55 am
It was absolutely devastating. I did not know they were going to use actual footage of the funeral, or I would not have gone to see it. I was still crying after the movie was over, to tell you the truth. My daughter was equally upset and we both went straight home afterwards instead of going to out to dinner. Helen Mirren did an excellent portrayal of the Queen, but the movie was an ordeal.
By Gigi on February 25th, 2007 at 3:20 am
I watched a lot of the funeral footage last evening. It came in a DVD given away by the Daily Mail, called Diana – Ten Years On. Actually it was a swizz because it was copyrighted 1998 and ended with the funeral. But it had some great people interviewed, including Hillary Clinton. I doubt she would do that now.
By John on February 25th, 2007 at 11:02 am
Well Helen will have Show & Tell and they’ll have plenty to talk about since Helen won the Oscar for best actress and dedicated her Oscar to the Queen. Wasn’t she a staunch republican, little R??? Oh Helen!
LOL Caught up in the moment, no doubt. 
Scorsese won FINALLY although I HATED the movie he for which he won for Best Director, The Departed.
By Positive on February 26th, 2007 at 11:23 am
She was a republican, but was converted back by the Queen herself, especially as she researched the role. Don’t forget she also won a Golden Globe last year for her protrayal of Elizabeth I, which was every bit as mesmerizing as her Oscar performance. Clearly she learned a lot from the experiences.
By John on February 26th, 2007 at 11:33 am
Iam having such laughs with the comments i hear,about the heavy Anti-Royalist Helen Mirren,who from the moment she became a Dame,she has become the most avid Royalist.What a sucker.I remember her comments about the Ridiculus Charles,and the irrelevant and anachronistic Royal Family.As always,everyone has his price.
By shake on March 3rd, 2007 at 1:53 pm
Why do you comment here, Shake, if you hate the Royal Family? There must be more productive things to do with your time.
By John on March 3rd, 2007 at 2:09 pm
Camilla is entering hospital tomorrow.Seems things are more urgent that the Palace wanted to say.
By shake on March 3rd, 2007 at 4:24 pm
I hold a great respect for the Monarchy.Especialy in the way i was raised,and was taught.Unfortunately i dont have the same respect for the current family that represents the Monarchy.And i do believe true Monarchists feel the same.they have the courage to dont have a blind eye and excuse everything,and can see how much damage this family has caused to the Institution.
By shake on March 3rd, 2007 at 4:28 pm
Regarding Helen Mirren’s flipflop on her views about the Royal Family, I think we need to allow people (especially artists) some room to grow and change. Artists do not operate in the real world and much of their focus is creating and fine tuning their craft, often in a vacuum. Many people change their minds about many subjects as they evolve and grow, mature and change, study and learn. Quite a few of us, I suspect, today believe differently on a range of issues than we did during our university days. I do not see why Helen Mirren should be criticized for this. On the contrary, her admission of her altered views demonstrates a refreshing flexibility and candor.
By Gigi on March 3rd, 2007 at 9:02 pm
Yeah she changed her mind in her late 40s,and just after becoming Dame.I guess thats what means to be mature.Telling thing as it is,again seems to not be the moto here.Instead its more convinient to make up excuses that stating the obvious.Until she was an outsider she was critisizing the system,the moment she came into the system,she aproves and hails it.Her next wish is to Play Camilla.I wonder what studies she will need to do for that role.
By shake on March 4th, 2007 at 1:56 am
Apparently for Helen Mirren, forty was the Age of Wisdom.
It comes for all of us sooner or later. That was quite an epiphany!
By Gigi on March 4th, 2007 at 4:38 am
Shake wrote:
“Camilla is entering hospital tomorrow. Seems things are more urgent that the Palace wanted to say.”
No, the palace always said that the surgery would be in March. It’s very common to be admitted to hospital the night before surgery. They often need to monitor fluid levels, restrict food and beverages, start IVs, and begin other prep during that night. Camilla’s case is not unusual in that regard.
By Evelyn on March 4th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
She had her last sceduled appearance at March 15,with Charles,and then her diary emptied for the operation.But last week the diary changed,and instead only Charles appearances are mentioned and only until March the 8th.
By shake on March 5th, 2007 at 8:00 am
“Regarding Helen Mirren’s flipflop on her views about the Royal Family, I think we need to allow people (especially artists) some room to grow and change. ”
Why ‘especially artists’?
I thought the film was beautiful and subtle, and as usual Helen Mirren outdid herself (she’s my favourite actress).
By Colleen Figg on August 28th, 2007 at 11:16 am
Yes, it was a great film, Coleen and Helen Mirren was perfect for the role.
By John on August 28th, 2007 at 11:29 am