The Queen Cracks Jokes With David Attenborough In A New Documentary

queen david attenborough

by Katie Rosseinsky |
Published on

A new ITV documentary featuring Sir David Attenborough and the Queen, arguably the nation’s favourite nonagenarians, looks set to showcase the monarch’s mischievous sense of humour.

The special programme, set to air in 2018, was filmed in the gardens at Buckingham Palace and focuses on the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy project, which connects forest and woodland conservation projects across the 52 Commonwealth member states. For now, the film takes the working title The Queen’s Canopy.

A short clip teased by the channel shows an informal conversation between the Queen and veteran broadcaster Attenborough, as the pair discuss the development of the Canopy project in future years.

Queen and David Attenborough
©Getty

When Sir David points out how the environment will change with time, commenting that ‘the trees with which you will be presented are going to change as our climate changes,’ and that there ‘will be all kinds of different trees growing here in another 50 years’ time,’ the Queen responds with a darkly funny quip, pointing out that ‘It might easily be, yes. I won’t be here though.’

As they move through the grounds and discuss the various trees and plants, the Queen states that they ‘won’t look at that one,’ alluding to one particular tree that ‘does not seem to be doing very well.’

Sir David is then seen trying to cover his face with his hand as he laughs at the Queen’s remark, while Her Majesty appears to address someone off camera to ask whether the tree in question is ‘mean to be like that?’

‘Somebody sat on it, I think, at a garden party,’ she adds.

The pair later move towards a chestnut tree, and remark upon the health and safety debate surrounding conkers. ‘Was it recently that someone tried to stop children playing conkers?’ the Queen asks, before adding that the game ‘seems to be quite a harmless battle thing.’

For more from these two national treasures, it seems we’ll have to wait until 2018...

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