After Elizabeth the Queen Mother died in 2002, her great-grandsons Princes William and Harry gave a memorable interview.
In it, William recalled an amazing request Elizabeth made to him before he started university at the prestigious St. Andrews in Scotland, when she had hosted a farewell lunch for him.
"As she said goodbye, she said: 'Any good parties, invite me down,'" William said (via the Guardian). "But there was no way. I knew full well that if I invited her down, she would dance me under the table."
Although it's more than likely that he didn't want to invite her because it's not typically the done thing to bring your centenarian great-grandma to college parties, I'm pretty sure he wasn't lying about Elizabeth's capacity to dance him "under the table."
There are two reasons for this—the first being that for all his wonderful qualities, William is not known for his dance skills. He has even managed to embarrass his younger brother with them at times.
The second reason is that Elizabeth sounded like a total hoot, per revelations the two young princes made about her in that same interview.
William said, "Anything that was meant to be formal and went wrong, she enjoyed. She laughed herself stupid about it. It kept us all sane."
The prince also recalled the elder royal's brave forays into technology. "She loved seeing what we got for Christmas and asking what was the latest trendy thing," he said. "I was given a mobile phone and showed it to her. I invited her to press a few buttons and it kept blinking and flashing at her."
Been there, done that.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
Iris Goldsztajn is a London-based journalist, editor and author. She is the morning editor at Marie Claire, and her work has appeared in the likes of InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Bustle and Shape. Iris writes about everything from celebrity news and relationship advice to the pitfalls of diet culture and the joys of exercise. She has many opinions on Harry Styles, and can typically be found eating her body weight in cheap chocolate.
-
I Work Out 5 Days a Week—These Are the Brands I Wear on Repeat
Sponsor Content Created With Nordstrom
By Emma Walsh Published
-
Princess Kate Will Be "Ready to Talk" About Her Absence When She Gets Back to Work, Source Claims
The Palace has released very few details about her illness and recovery.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Princess Kate Was Allegedly Spotted Looking "Happy, Relaxed and Healthy" at a Farm Shop This Weekend
Anonymous onlookers provided this description to 'The Sun.'
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
British Royal Lady Gabriella Windsor's Husband Has Died at 45
Lady Gabriella is King Charles' second cousin.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
George, Charlotte and Louis Will Be Laden With Gifts as Prince William Returns From New York
He was handed so many souvenirs for the little ones.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince William Makes Sure to "Treat George and Charlotte as Equals," Body Language Expert Says
I should hope so!
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince William Isn't "A Workaholic Like His Father," Royal Expert Claims
He's got more of a work-life balance.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Princess Kate's New "Signature" Gesture? The Stealthy "Bum Pat" to Prince William
Love this for her.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince Harry Says His "Spirit Is Renewed" as He Attends the Warrior Games for Wounded Service Members in San Diego
The Games inspired his Invictus concept.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince William Not Expected to Invite Prince Harry to His Coronation, Friend Claims
That doesn't sound good.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
We Finally Know Where the Earthshot Prize 2023 Will Take Place
Let's go!
By Iris Goldsztajn Published