Rishika Shahi
In a revealing interview with The Sunday Times, Samantha Cohen, one of Queen Elizabeth’s most trusted aides, shared intimate memories of the late monarch, who passed away in September 2022. Having worked closely with the Queen for 18 years, Cohen provided insights into her personality, highlighting both her playful nature and her love for speed while driving around Balmoral. This conversation sheds light on the human side of a figure often seen through the lens of royalty.
A Shy Yet Playful Monarch
Cohen described Queen Elizabeth as “a shy person” who cherished her privacy at Balmoral but also had a “playful” side. “She was always sitting at her desk beside the window,” Cohen recalled fondly. One memorable incident involved a butterfly that landed in the drawing room. “She got up, picked it up and it flew away… we opened the window, freed the butterfly, and she said, ‘Right, where were we?'” This moment encapsulated the Queen’s light-heartedness amid her royal duties.
Perhaps one of the more surprising revelations from Cohen was the Queen’s adventurous spirit behind the wheel. “She was gutsy,” Cohen stated, noting that the Queen would drive her cars fast around Balmoral. This unexpected trait adds another layer to the image of a monarch often perceived as reserved and formal.
A Family Woman at Heart
Despite her royal responsibilities, Cohen emphasized that family was important to the Queen. “She loved hosting everybody for summer,” she explained, highlighting how the Queen took joy in allocating rooms for guests and checking in on them personally. Cohen also shared how her children would sometimes encounter the Queen while riding horses or bicycles around Balmoral.
While their interactions were filled with warmth and laughter, Cohen maintained that her relationship with the Queen was rooted in respect. “There were no favorites,” she noted, emphasizing her role in making the Queen’s life easier. In return, Cohen described the Queen as an “incredible boss” who exhibited no ego despite her status. “She understood this was her role… but she knew it was separate to her as a person,” Cohen remarked.
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