Queen Elizabeth II died Sept. 8 at the age of 96. Her passing is the end of an era and the longevity of her reign is remarkable.
Elizabeth became queen on Feb. 6, 1952. The first British prime minister of her reign was Winston Churchill. Also, she assumed the throne around the time that Ian Fleming was in Jamaica, writing the early drafts of his first James Bond novel, Casino Royale.
Like Fleming’s literary Bond, Elizabeth II as queen confronted a U.K. that was forced to shed colonies and adjust to a new place in the world.
Late in his run as Bond author, Fleming penned On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. It turned out to be one of Fleming’s best Bond novels. The 1969 film adaptation included a striking image when Bond (George Lazenby) is cleaning out his office (not realizing his resignation has been altered to a request for leave).
“Sorry, ma’am,” Lazenby/Bond says toward a copy of a portrait of Elizabeth II. Here it is, courtesy of a tweet by MI6 HQ:
As the movie Bond became huge, members of the royal family showed up during production of 007 movies. But Elizabeth II topped them all in 2012.
For the London Olympics, the queen participated in a Danny Boyle-directed sequence for the opening ceremonies along with Daniel Craig’s Bond.
Prince Charles has now assumed the mantle of king. Yet, somehow, On His Majesty’s Secret Service doesn’t have the same ring.
UPDATE: Ian Fleming Publications put out this tweet in honor of Elizabeth.
Filed under: James Bond Films | Tagged: 2012 London Olympics, Daniel Craig, Ian Fleming, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Queen Elizabeth II |
The Spy Command 
Such an interesting Post, thank you! OMH that clip was only 10 years ago. We’re so fortunate to have lived in world we’ll never see again.
These Goldfinger themes are a contribution because the instrumental arrangements are beautiful. However if you don’t want it among the formal comments in this Thread, please don’t post. No worries!
Totally Smooth
Q the Tempo