Queen Elizabeth II was not only the Queen of Britain and one of the longest-reigning monarchs in history, but she was also one of the most well-traveled royal figures in the world. Throughout her decades on the throne, the queen covered vast distances, visiting many countries. However, away from the formal protocols, she had personal habits during her air journeys that reflected her disciplined and reserved personality, which came to light only after her passing.
#### Flight Attendant's Memoirs
The late queen's flying habits were revealed through a collection of memorabilia gathered by a flight attendant named Elizabeth Evans, who worked for British Airways for 28 years since 1970 and served many famous personalities during her nearly three-decade career.
In her memoirs, Evans recounted: "Although the queen traveled on the most luxurious private planes that ensured her comfort and luxury, she adhered to certain habits that she maintained throughout her life. One of these habits was bringing her own drinks; the queen always had a special mix of gin and Dubonnet, an herbal-flavored drink, which she insisted on having with her on every flight. She later gave it up due to joint issues, as revealed by royal bartender Dimitri Walters in 2021."
Before meeting guests, it was customary for Queen Elizabeth to drink a martini on royal flights and she enjoyed following the flight maps. The flight attendants were also required to ensure that a bowl of "Velamints" peppermint candies was placed beside her before takeoff and in her changing room.
#### Personal Care First
Additionally, the queen carried a small bag containing her essential personal items. This bag typically included a small mirror, a Clarins lipstick, reading glasses, and a picture of her family. Before disembarking from the plane, she followed precise rituals to prepare herself. She would apply her lipstick in front of her small mirror, put on her signature hat, and check that everything was in place. These rituals helped her maintain her regal appearance even after a long flight.
Queen Elizabeth II was also known for her dietary habits, avoiding shellfish and shrimp during her flights for fear of food poisoning. Instead, she preferred simple, uncomplicated meals such as sandwiches and fresh pastries, and she made sure that dark chocolate was included in her meals, viewing it as one of her simple pleasures.
#### Special Instructions
Flight attendants working on the aircraft were given a very specific set of instructions on how to handle the royal couple. These instructions included coordinating with the queen's private steward to ensure her bed was arranged correctly and noting that she brought her own pillows.
Royal comforts included her personal pillows and her own wardrobe. If Her Majesty was asleep before landing, crew members were instructed not to disturb her and to leave her in her bed.
#### Auction
Among the other famous faces featured in Evans' collection of memoirs are Rod Stewart, Cliff Richard, actors Arnold Schwarzenegger and Patrick Swayze, and tennis champions Virginia Wade and Billie Jean King. The collection is set to be auctioned at Hansons Auctioneers between August 15 and 20 for amounts ranging from £400 to £600. According to the Daily Mail, Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, stated: "Elizabeth's archive takes us back to the 70s, 80s, and 90s when flying on a Concorde was a luxurious privilege enjoyed by the wealthy."
