Royals

Queen Elizabeth II makes royal history by partaking in a video call – and she passed with flying colours

A first for the Monarch.
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Queen Elizabeth has casually made royal history by partaking in a video call – making her the very first British Monarch to do so, and quite seamlessly at that.

In a video released by Buckingham Palace, the Queen, aged 94, joined a number of people including her daughter, Princess Anne, 69, to honour Carers Week in the special tribute call.

The sentiment of the video was striking enough, but seeing how the Queen tackled the video call, hosted by calling platform Cisco Webex, was in itself a brilliant spectacle to watch unfold.

Ever the sophisticated, eloquent royal, the Queen of course pulled off video call etiquette with flying colours.

Seen in a beautiful floral dress in a living room adorned with gorgeous chairs, a couch and flowers, Elizabeth II was radiant and at ease as she spoke to several carers who partook in the call.

“Interesting listening to all your tales and stories. I’m very impressed by what you have achieved already,” she told them.

“I am very glad to have been able to join you today.”

The Queen was a total natural during the video call.

(Buckingham Palace)

The call took place with four carers named Alex, Amna, Mary and Nadia, who are currently the primary care workers for their family members.

The Queen and Princess Anne spoke to them about the different roles that carers have to play, and the challenge of juggling their own physical and mental health with their loved ones.

In an official statement from Princess Anne, who is the President of the Carers Trust, she said: “If you are an unpaid family carer, thank you so much for everything you do for those who cannot care for themselves. This Carers Week, and always, please know that your role is a vital one; one to be highlighted and celebrated, and one that should never be forgotten.”

As to be expected, fans flocked to the video on Instagram to share their excitement in seeing the Queen on the video call.

“I love that Her Majesty is on Zoom!!” Wrote one.

Another added: “The Queen never ceases to amaze me. Zooming for a good cause.”

“How lovely! ❤ It’s great to see the Queen and Princess Anne,” one mused.

A quick scroll through the comments section will also tell you just how impressed fans were to see the Queen take so easily to the new-age technical platform – the clapping hand emojis were rife!

Princess Anne also joined in the special video call.

(Buckingham Palace)

Speaking of the experience to PEOPLE, the CEO of the Carers Trust, Gareth Howells, said: “Her Majesty was very keen to understand the stories of each of the carers.”

He continued: “She shared a lot and asked questions about the support they are currently getting as unpaid carers. She was keen to understand how the coronavirus has impacted them as such.”

The Queen is certainly not the first royal to take to video calling – Duchess Catherine, Prince William and Sophie of Wessex are among some of the royals who have made the most of their profile and continued to connect with people in this new way amidst the pandemic.

And going by the flying success of her first call, perhaps we’ll soon see more of the Queen on video call. Stay tuned…

WATCH: Queen Elizabeth visits Sainsbury’s:

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