Miriam Margolyes has shared an amusing story about meeting the late Queen Elizabeth II, admitting she believes the monarch was less than impressed by her introduction.
The beloved actress and author entertained audiences at the Sheffield Documentary Festival over the weekend, where she reflected on her long career and recounted several memorable encounters, including a royal meeting she has never forgotten.
Margolyes, who was awarded an OBE in 2002 for services to drama, recalled attending an event hosted by the Queen at Buckingham Palace during World Book Week in the mid-2000s.
Queen Elizabeth II. Alessia Pierdomenico, Shutterstock
According to the actress, the conversation got off to an awkward start when the monarch asked her what she did for a living.
"I met the Queen a while ago, when she was still alive," Margolyes told the audience. "It was at a do, and she said to me, ‘What do you do?’ I said, like an idiot, ‘I'm the best reader of stories in the whole world.’ What an idiot."
The actress joked that the comment did not go down particularly well with the late monarch.
"Obviously, she rolled her eyes and thought, ‘God almighty’. I don't think she liked me at all."
Despite her suspicions about Queen Elizabeth's opinion of her, Margolyes made it clear that she held the monarch in high regard and spoke fondly of the Royal Family's current Queen.
"We have another Queen now whom I really like," she said, prompting laughter from the audience.
Margolyes went on to praise Queen Camilla, saying she believes the Queen Consort has had a positive influence on King Charles III.
"I really like Camilla, I think she's a good egg and very good for the King. She makes him happy, and I don't have any judgmental stuff about that."
Known for her candid personality and quick wit, Margolyes has become almost as famous for her unfiltered anecdotes as for her acclaimed acting career.
The BAFTA-winning performer is widely recognised for roles in productions including the Harry Potter film series, where she played Professor Sprout, as well as numerous television dramas, documentaries and stage productions.
Her latest royal recollection proved a hit with festival-goers, offering another example of the frank storytelling that has made her a favourite with audiences for decades.
