During a 2011 state dinner at Buckingham Palace, Queen Elizabeth II took a firm stance to conclude the evening’s festivities, directing that President Barack Obama be informed it was time to retire for the night.
According to accounts from a forthcoming publication, the monarch approached a senior official as the event extended past midnight, instructing him to relay the message to the American leader. The official reportedly expressed uncertainty about how to approach the president, who was at the center of a lively gathering.
The queen’s private secretary subsequently intervened, indicating the matter was being managed. The same source highlighted the late queen’s reputation for candidness in private conversations, noting her willingness to share forthright opinions on both public figures and personal family matters.
This diplomatic engagement precedes another scheduled state visit. The current king and queen are set to welcome a different U.S. president and first lady for an official stay later this year, continuing the tradition of high-level exchanges between the two nations.
