Royal Travel: ‘Comedy of errors’ by staff – how the Queen’s US visit didn’t go to plan

The Royal Family is one of the most well-travelled monarchies in the world, often jetting off to foreign and Commonwealth countries to represent the UK. The public is being given an insight into some of these visits in Netflix drama The Crown, with a recent episode following Princess Margaret on a visit to the US. However, she is not the only royal to have represented Britain in America.

“The wrong stairs were wheeled out to her chartered British Airways flight, and the red carpet was in the wrong place.”

Luckily, this issue was soon amended and the Queen was able to exit the plane and greet the huge crowds waiting for her.

“Huge crowds-boosted by the governor’s declaration of a public holiday-waited in the rain to see her arrival at the state Capitol, where her speech was relayed on loudspeakers,” Hardman states.

This wasn’t the only time the Queen has faced an unexpected situation when arriving in a new location.

On her 1963 tour to New Zealand, the head of state faced an embarrassing exposure when exiting the royal plane.

When arriving in Wellington, the shocking moment was caught on camera by the press.

In 1991 the exact same thing happened again.

Hardman continues: “The same thing happened as the Queen arrives in Namibia, and her skirt was caught in a gust as she descended from her plane.”

Luckily, the Queen’s fashion team have their own tricks to ensure this wardrobe malfunction never happens again.

According to Stewart Parvin, small lead weights are sewn into the royal hemlines to maintain the shape of the Queen’s ensembles, and ensure her skirt stays firmly in place.

source: express.co.uk