Helen Mirrenis opening up about a “lesson in embarrassment” she was taught during tea withQueen Elizabeth.
“She invited me for tea,” Mirren, 74, began, adding that she was under the impression it would be a large gathering, but instead it was an intimate affair.
“I thought it was going to be in a room with 200 other people, which it often is. I’ve met her once before and it was in a room with 200 other people,” Mirren explained. “So I said, ‘Oh well I can manage that.’ So it was at the horsey place and the message came to me that the Queen would like to invite you to tea, she knows you’re here.”
“So I walk in, and there’s like eight people sitting around a table.Prince Philip, the Queen, a Sheik of somewhere or other and a couple of horsey people. I know absolutely nothing about horses, at all, and the Queen knows everything about horses.”
At this point, Mirren explained she was “desperately trying to make polite conversation and it’s just coming out like gobbledygook.”
Helen Mirren.Dominique Charriau/WireImage
That’s when things started to get a bit awkward.
“Then I got a cup of tea and the Queen, in particular, was having a very intense conversation about what’s in the sandwiches withPrince Philip, very important. ‘What is this? What’s in here?'” Mirren explained.
“The milk is on the other side ofPrince Philipand I want some milk in my tea, but my brain goes completely dead and I cannot remember how to addressPrince Philip.”
Christopher Polk/Getty Images; Sky News/Getty Images
Queen Elizabeth II.Bethany Clarke/Getty Images
“I mean, is it sir? Is it your majesty? Is it your highness?” Mirren said. “Is it rude to ask him to pass the milk? Or should I just ask for a lackey?”
After contemplating the situation in her head, Mirren opted to go without having any milk at all. “I finished up not having any milk. I just couldn’t sort it out.”
Despite the awkwardness, Mirren shared she had a great time.
“It’s a lesson in embarrassment, but they were lovely, they were utterly gracious.”
Mirren famously took on the role ofQueen Elizabethin the 2006 filmThe Queen, which told the story ofPrincess Diana’s tragic death and the Queen’s reaction to it.
Mirren’s latest projectThe Good Liaris set to premiere on Nov. 15 and stars Ian McKellen.
source: people.com
