Royal Watch News

Queen Elizabeth asked to be part of opening ceremony

Aug 1, 2012, 12:01 GMT

Queen Elizabeth at the opening ceremony

Britain's Queen Elizabeth asked to have a part in the Olympics opening ceremony.

The British monarch appeared as herself alongside James Bond - played by actor Daniel Craig - at the spectacular opening of the sporting event last Friday (27.07.12), and scriptwriter Frank Cottrell-Boyce said it was at her own request.

In the video, the monarch greets the actor by saying 'good evening Mr. Bond,' before following him to an awaiting helicopter and appearing to parachute into the Olympic Stadium.

Frank - who worked closely with the show's director, Danny Boyle, on the stunt - said: 'The idea originally came from our designer Mark Tildesley. Danny said this idea must have come from somewhere, a film like 'Austin Powers' or 'Johnny English'.

'It sat on his desk and when we eventually found nobody else had used it, Danny contacted the Palace.

'Our whole office was stunned when we got the reply saying the queen not only gave permission but wanted to be in it.

'The timing of the film showing her leaving the Palace with Daniel Craig as James Bond, the helicopter's arrival over the stadium, 'her' parachute jump and appearance in the Royal Box was all perfect.

'There were people around me in the stadium who were actually asking each other if it really was the queen jumping out of the helicopter.

'It was thrilling to have been able to create a level of magic where people wanted to believe their eyes when their minds told them it couldn't be true.'

The queen's appearance was her acting debut, and was shot on March 27, as she prepared for her Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

The monarch and the actor were replaced by stunt men for the parachute jump, with Gary Connery dressed as the 86-year-old royal and Mark Sutton playing Bond. The queen then appeared in the crowd herself.