How The Queen pranked unwitting American tourists who failed to recognise her at Balmoral by telling them: 'I've never seen a royal... but this policeman has'
- The 93-year-old monarch was walking with protection officer Richard Griffin
- She was dressed in tweeds and a headscarf on the estate in Aberdeenshire
- The group asked her if she lived in the area and if she had ever met the Queen
A group of American tourists failed to recognise the Queen after they met her walking on her Scottish estate
A group of American tourists failed to recognise the Queen after they met her walking on her Scottish estate.
The 93-year-old monarch had been out for a stroll in the grounds of Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, accompanied by protection officer Richard Griffin.
She was dressed in tweeds and wearing a headscarf when she came across the group of tourists.
Unaware of who she was they struck up a conversation and asked her if she lived in the area to which she replied that she did indeed have a house nearby.
They went on to question whether she had ever met the Queen herself.
Not wanting to reveal who she was, she enjoyed a private joke as she gestured towards Mr Griffin and said: 'No but this policeman has.'
Mr Griffin has worked closely with the royal family for more than 30 years.
Speaking to the Times, he said that the group moved on after a short while and remained oblivious to her true identity.
The 93-year-old monarch had been out for a stroll in the grounds of Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, accompanied by protection officer Richard Griffin
The Queen often enjoys a low-key lifestyle when staying at Balmoral and opts for more pared-back clothes and wellington boots
Although it was not a recent encounter, the Queen does often enjoy a more low-key lifestyle when staying at Balmoral.
She usually swaps her signature eye-catching coloured dresses that she wears to royal engagements for pared-back clothes and wellington boots.
Balmoral Castle has been a residency of the British royal family since 1852.
It sits on extensive grounds that cover an area of around 50,000 acres.
As a working estate, it includes forestry and farmland as well as managed herds of deer, Highland cattle and ponies.
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