London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Jul 02, 2025

Ex-PMs on taking Queen's advice and King's 'long apprenticeship'

Ex-PMs on taking Queen's advice and King's 'long apprenticeship'

There is a tiny special club, a powerful group who knew Queen Elizabeth in a particular and private way - her prime ministers.

They all used to speak to her in person for an hour or so each week. The monarch was their confidant of sorts, an adviser providing a shrewd ear.

For this week's programme I've been speaking to Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Theresa May, the Queen's 11th, 12th, and 13th prime ministers, about why it matters, their memories of one monarch, and their hopes for the next.

The Queen always would have "done her red boxes, read government papers" and would be well-versed in the dilemmas of government decisions, said Mrs May.

Her predecessor, Mr Brown, joked that sometimes he had been "embarrassed" by the extent of her knowledge, recalling that on one occasion she had more up to date information about a particular Commonwealth country than he did.

Mr Cameron described the Queen as the "world's greatest public servant" with a profound understanding of what was going on at any one moment.

All three former PMs told me they benefitted enormously from her long years of experience that she shared with them in private - a sense that whatever the problem of the day, she could provide advice and a sense of proportion.

They all emphasised the new King's long years of preparation and knowledge of the role he now occupies, with Mr Cameron telling me the then-Prince Charles, during what he called "the longest apprenticeship in history", had practised holding audiences with him while his mother was on the throne.

Looking to the future, Mr Brown said he felt King Charles - in his televised address to the nation on Friday - had carefully sent a message to the country that his priorities would change, leaving his charities and causes to others to take on.

Yet what stood out in our conversations were their personal encounters with the Queen.

For Mr Brown it was the time she told the corgis to "shut up" in front of his young sons. For months after, they would defend themselves when being told off for using the phrase by saying: "If the Queen says it, why can't we?"

Gordon Brown recalls the Queen telling her corgis to "shut up" in front of his young sons


Mr Cameron recalled the time he got lost on the Balmoral estate but was found by the Duke of Edinburgh - travelling at speed in his Land Rover across the moor - and how at state occasions, his wife Samantha always wanted to sit next to the then-Prince Charles because he was the most fun companion for a long, formal evening.

Mrs May remembered with laughter the time she dropped the cheese at the Balmoral picnic, then put it back on the table even though the Queen was watching her every move, and how at those Highland weekends the monarch would sit happily playing patience on her own while her guests mingled around her.

These politicians knew the Queen well, but our conversations echo how many members of the public perhaps felt - the most formal, yet familiar too.

The monarch with golden robes and a jewel-laden Crown - but a friendly face in a difficult moment.

The most experienced and knowledgeable diplomat the country has ever seen, and the party host clearing up the barbecue. The head of state of the sixth biggest economy in the world, but also a great-grandmother at ease with Paddington Bear.

On our show last week we interviewed the woman who was the last politician to have the traditional audience with the Queen. It's fitting perhaps that the last formal photograph of her showed that vital encounter with Liz Truss.

The new PM and the new King are now the next to fulfil this tradition. It's hard to fathom how much has changed in just seven days. But the connection, the importance of the conversations between the inhabitant of the Palace and the prime minister goes on.


Watch: Mr Cameron told the BBC that Charles had served “the longest apprenticeship in history”


Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
Russian Shadow Payments via Cryptocurrency Reach $9 Billion
Explosions Rock Doha as Iranian Missiles Target Qatar
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
×