Joanna Lumley reveals awkward encounter with Princess Anne over a biscuit: ‘She gave me a bit of a look’

Joanna Lumley revealed that Princess Anne wasn’t too thrilled to see the actress breathe all over a chocolate biscuit before putting it back.

The Absolutely Fabulous actress joined Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield on today’s episode of This Morning where she recalled meeting the royal in Wales at a children’s charity event.

‘She’s very astute and wildly clever and she notices everything,’ Joanna shared. ‘I was talking too much, and somebody came round with a plate of chocolate biscuits.

‘Because I’m senior to Princess Anne in age, nothing else, I would talk, talk, talk and I got the biscuit just up to about there and I saw her looking, I put it back, having breathed on it.’

Joanna added: ‘She gave me a bit of a look.’

The national treasure was invited onto This Morning to promote her new book, A Queen for All Seasons about Queen Elizabeth II.

Joanna Lumley’s etiquette didn’t impress Princess Anne (Picture: Rex)

In it, she shares first-hand encounters with the Queen ahead of her Platinum Jubilee next year.

Speaking about meeting the Queen, Joanna remembered: ‘I was given the OBE and I was told where to go and how to walk and you kind of go, “It’ll be okay” but of course, when you get there, you’re kind of thinking, “Left, right, left, right, hold the hand,” so I met her then.

Joanna had met Princess Anne at a charity event in Wales (Picture: Getty)

‘But I’ve met her since then. One of my favourite times was when a friend of mine called Pete Goss was launching a big new ship by the Tower of London and the Queen was going to name it.

‘I’d named his earlier ship. I was standing in line and she only knew me as an actress.

More: This Morning

‘She said, “What are you doing here?” And I said, “Because because because” and she said, “Oh I see.” And you suddenly realise, we’re watching the Queen, but she’s watching us.’

This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.