Tim Shipman, a renowned Sunday Times journalist, has recently released a book that brings to the fore a lesser-known facet of the relationship between Queen Elizabeth II and Boris Johnson, the former British Prime Minister.
The Queen did not have a close relationship with the former British Prime Minister / photo: GETTY
His book explores not only the professional collaboration between the two, but also the personal tensions that marked their interactions. According to the journalist, one of Queen Elizabeth’s last remarks about Boris Johnson was brutally honest and, at the same time, surprising. The sovereign is said to have declared:
“At least it’s not the idiot Boris Johnson who’s going to be organizing my funeral.” This statement, reproduced by Shipman and taken over by the publication stiripesurse.ro, offers an unusual picture of the way in which the Queen expresses her views about the political leaders of the United Kingdom.
The statement was reportedly made by the Queen just two days before his passing on September 8, 2022, perhaps reflecting an older attitude towards Johnson.
The antipathy that the sovereign harbored towards him was no secret, and this had already been noted by those close to the royal family and those in political circles.
In fact, as early as November 2019, Queen Elizabeth II would have characterized Boris Johnson as “someone who would be better on a stage than doing politics”. This description suggests that he regarded Johnson as a showman, an entertainer, rather than a reliable and serious politician.
Why Queen Elizabeth Can’t Stand Boris Johnson
The tension between the two leaders emphasizes the differences in personality and political vision.
Queen Elizabeth was known for her dignity and discretion, qualities that defined her entire reign and how she interacted with all prime ministers over the decades.
In contrast, , with his eccentric and often provocative style, seemed to contrast sharply with the traditional values of the British monarchy.
Shipman describes this dynamic as a complex one, with obvious moments of tension, but also with a dose of irony
