The Queen Trolled Tourists Who Didn't Recognize Her in Balmoral

windsor, united kingdom may 15 embargoed for publication in uk newspapers until 48 hours after create date and time queen elizabeth ii watches her horse balmoral fashion compete in the fell class on day 3 of the royal windsor horse show in home park on may 15, 2015 in windsor, england photo by max mumbyindigogetty images

(Image credit: Max Mumby/Indigo)

published 2 August 2021

Even though she's clearly one of the most famous people on earth, even the Queen (opens in new tab) sometimes goes unnoticed in public, it seems.
Her former protection officer Richard Griffin (opens in new tab) recently shared a story about a time when the Queen ran into a group of American tourists in Balmoral who had no idea who they'd just met.
When the tourists asked if she had ever met the Queen, the monarch didn't miss a beat, replying that she hadn't "but this policeman has," and pointing to Griffin.

The Queen (opens in new tab) is one of the most recognizable human beings on earth, but even she can go under the radar sometimes.

Every year, the Queen (opens in new tab) spends part of her summer holiday at Balmoral, her Scottish estate. When she's there, the monarch swaps out her usual bright colored ensembles and eye-catching brooches (opens in new tab) for low-key looks in more muted colors and enjoys simple activities like spending time with family and walking her dogs.

During one of her walks around the estate, the Queen ran into a group of American tourists who clearly had no idea they were speaking to the Queen of England (opens in new tab), according to her former protection officer, Richard Griffin, who worked with the royal family for more than 30 years.

Griffin shared the story with the Times (per The Sun (opens in new tab)), explaining that the tourists asked if she lived in the area, to which the Queen replied that she had a house nearby (which is technically true, in so much as Balmoral Castle (opens in new tab) is a "house"). When the tourists asked if she had ever met the Queen, however, her answer was a perfect example of playfully witty trolling in action.

"No, but this policeman has," she answered, pointing to Griffin.

Tragically, Griffin did not share how he reacted to that brilliant response in the moment or if the tourists followed up with him asking about his encounter with royalty. He did reveal that the group parted ways with the Queen having no idea who they had actually just met.