Why Queen Elizabeth Was Left "Sitting in the Dark" After a Staff Member's Blunder
Former royal footman Steven Kaye shared a hilarious palace "accident."
Inside the walls of Windsor Castle, even the most dedicated royal staff occasionally face moments that test their nerves. Steven Kaye, who served as a footman to Queen Elizabeth II for more than three years, shared a snafu that shows just how gracefully Her Majesty handled the (very occasional) hiccups of palace life.
Like most of us who've hosted dinner parties, the late Queen sometimes faced unexpected challenges (though mine are perhaps not quite as grand as those at Windsor). During one memorable evening, what began as a typical formal dinner turned into a scramble when the castle's dining room lights began mysteriously flickering.
Ever practical, Queen Elizabeth suggested switching to candlelight for the evening meal. There was just one small problem: no one had remembered to set out the candles.
As Kaye told Slingo, "There was one occasion where the under-butler had forgotten to put candles out on the dining table...the Queen ordered that the lights be turned off and we'd just have candlelight—well, there were no candles."
"We were then running down to one of the pantries to find some candles and bring them up while The Queen was virtually sitting in the dark," Kaye recalled.
What makes this story particularly sweet is the Queen's understanding nature in such situations. As Kaye explained, "These sorts of things do happen quite a lot, with any job where there has to be perfection, there's always going to be a lot of mistakes. But, as long as you correct those mistakes quickly, I don't think The Queen really minds."
The former royal footman—who made the remarks shortly before the monarch's death—added, "She doesn't like sloppiness, so given that it's an accident and not deliberate, she's usually okay."
Stay In The Know
Select the newsletters you’d like to receive. Then, add your email to sign up.
In fact, Queen Elizabeth was known to actually enjoy it when something went awry. Samantha Cohen, who worked for The Queen for close to 20 years, told Australia's Herald Sun (via Vanity Fair), “She was so comfortable in herself, yet she loved it when things went wrong—if a cake was not cutting or a plaque didn’t unveil—because everything was so perfectly organized, it spiced her life up when things went wrong.”
Somehow I have a feeling that The Queen was probably delighted to be left sitting in the dark (or at least moderately amused).
Kristin Contino is Marie Claire's Senior Royal and Celebrity editor. She's been covering royalty since 2018—including major moments such as the Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II’s death and King Charles III's coronation—and places a particular focus on the British Royal Family's style and what it means.
Prior to working at Marie Claire, she wrote about celebrity and royal fashion at Page Six Style and covered royalty from around the world as chief reporter at Royal Central.
Kristin is also the published author of two novels, “The Legacy of Us” and “A House Full of Windsor.”
-
Jennifer Lopez Says Ben Affleck Split Did "Almost Take Me Out for Good" the Second Time
She doesn't regret any of the lessons she's learned.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
This Top-Rated Laser Hair Removal Device is on Mega Sale at Amazon Right Now
Shop it now for less than $200.
By Julia Marzovilla Published
-
Kate Middleton and Prince William Threw a Secret Wedding After-Party With a Surprising Theme
The royals let their hair down at a London hotel.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
King Charles and Melania Trump Are Pen Pals, Apparently
The unlikely friendship first began in 2005, according to Melania's new memoir.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Queen Elizabeth "Felt Sorry" for Marilyn Monroe During 1956 Meeting Because the Star Was So "Nervous"
The Queen noticed an interesting detail about the movie star's appearance when they met.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Princess Anne Reassured Queen Elizabeth Over Her Fears of Dying in Scotland
"Just do what you want to do."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
King Charles’s Goddaughter, India Hicks, Says Her Mother, Lady Pamela Hicks, “Absolutely Believes in the Thinning Down of the Royal Family”
The designer and author sat down with Marie Claire to discuss her new book, 'Lady Pamela.'
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson Reveals Queen Elizabeth Had "a Form of Bone Cancer" Before Her Death
Johnson shared some insights about the late monarch in his new memoir, 'Unleashed.'
By Kristin Contino Published
-
King Charles Reveals Why Queen Elizabeth “Chose to Spend Her Final Days” at Balmoral Castle
The King said Scotland is a “uniquely special place.”
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Queen Elizabeth Denied Prince William's Request to Make Kate Middleton a Princess
"Kate is a commoner."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
The Touching Detail You Might Have Missed From Queen Elizabeth's Funeral
The late monarch's groom used one of her iconic possessions to say goodbye.
By Kristin Contino Published