The Queen (2006) Trivia Quiz

Answer: Tony Blair

The Queen is not altogether happy that Tony Blair has just won the election in 1997. While talking to both her secretary and an artist, she mentions that Blair is too "modernistic" for her traditionalist taste. She had also heard that his wife has anti-monarchy views.

When Tony Blair comes to meet her right after the election, it is an awkward situation. He had to be coached how to do court etiquette. She, right away, reminded him that he was her tenth Prime Minister in all her years on the throne. She also said that she was to advise, guide, and warn him during his tenure.

Answer: People's Princess

In the film, the royal family had just gone to Scotland when the call came in that Diana had been in a terrible accident in Paris, France. At first, they did not know the seriousness of it and were angry that their ex-daughter-in-law, who they called "the ex-H.R.H." was causing more headlines in the press. Then the news came that she had died from her injuries.

The public, who had loved Diana, started mourning. The movie showed actual clips of people crying and hugging each other. The Queen told her family that they should stay in Scotland and maintain their silence and privacy. Tony Blair, on the other hand, had his staff write a speech that he presented on television. In it, he grieved for the death of Diana and called her the "People's Princess". This immediately caught on to the crowds who were eager to have Diana lauded.

Answer: Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother

On Monday after Diana's death, Prince Philip takes Diana's sons out hunting to distract them from all the news coverage. People like Diana's brother are on television blaming the press for "hounding her to death". The public, in television clips from 1997, are shown in the movie as they continue to mourn and bring gifts to the palace in London in honor of Diana.

Meanwhile, Queen Elizabeth II is told that the Lord Chamberlain and others have made the decision to have Diana's funeral held as a public event. Furthermore, it is to be modelled after "Operation Tay Bridge" which is the plan for the Queen Mum's funeral. Because this was so unexpected, there was little time to create a new plan. Instead of soldiers, there would be representative charities and instead of dignitaries there would be celebrities. The Queen Mum was horrified!

Answer: False

Prince Charles rides with his mother in a car as they go out onto the moors of Scotland. While in the vehicle, he tells her that Diana was an "excellent mother". He says that she was a good person and that the public needs to grieve with them in a funeral.

Queen Elizabeth II immediately senses that he is hinting that she, herself, was NOT a warm and nurturing mother. She stops the car and walks back to the palace while Prince Charles drives onward. That evening, she speaks to her husband, Prince Philip, and says she is confounded why there is such an outcry about Diana.

Answer: A flag at half mast

The news accounts show millions of people in the streets who are continuing to bring flowers and gifts to the gates of Buckingham Palace. The royal family, still refusing to come back to London, has allowed a condolence book to be placed out front so that people may sign it for posterity.

However, many people are very upset that the flag above Buckingham is still down and not flying at half mast. When Queen Elizabeth II, in Scotland, is told of this she is flabbergasted. She says it is the Royal Standard flag and is to only be flown when the Queen is in residence there. Even when a monarch dies, it is never flown at half mast. She still does not understand the depth of sadness of her people.

Answer: Abdication of King Edward VIII

While the rest of her family goes back out to the moors in Scotland, the Queen stays inside and takes a phone call from Tony Blair. She has already read the daily newspapers and has seen how the press (and the public) are extremely upset with her decision to stay silent. Tony Blair, on the phone, tells her she needs to be more in touch with the public and that she should speak out. She refuses and practically hangs up on him.

Immediately after the phone call, the Queen's private secretary, Robin, places a call to Tony Blair to try to explain the Queen's actions. Robin said that the Queen is very traditional and prefers mourning to be private. He also said that this whole affair is reminding the Queen of when King Edward VIII suddenly abdicated, leaving her father as the reigning monarch. The stress of this ultimately caused her father's death.

Answer: Stag

On the Wednesday afternoon after Diana's accident, Prince Philip and Prince Charles take the young grandsons out to go hunting stag. This is very much a tradition in their family and in the area. The Queen decides to go meet them and drives herself in a Jeep-like vehicle. It breaks down while crossing a shallow river.

The Queen calls for backup and sits down to wait. While she is sitting in the quiet, a giant stag (the one that is being hunted) suddenly appears and locks eyes with her. The Queen starts silently crying in sympathy and shoos him away before he's hurt.

Answer: Kitchen

Queen Elizabeth II is out walking with her beloved dogs, when she is chased down by her secretary who tells her that she has an urgent call from Tony Blair. She sighs and agrees to take the call in the closest room, which happens to be the kitchen. She enters and immediately all the staff race out to give her privacy.

Tony Blair tells her that the latest poll shows 70% of the people disapproving of her actions and 25% in favor of abolishing the monarchy. She is shocked and goes to speak to her mother who tells her to stand firm. However, after weighing tradition against modern feelings, she agrees to go to London and to pay her respects at the funeral.

Answer: True

The movie shows an actual news clip from 1979 where announcers are stating with awe that Queen Elizabeth II and her family are leaving their cars to walk outside amongst the people. It is stated that she had not done this since WWII ended.

The Queen silently and slowly walked down the long line of flowers, while stopping to read some inscriptions. This made her sad. At one point, she saw a young girl clutching a bouquet. She asked the girl if those were for Diana. The girl said "no, they are for you!". This made the Queen realize that she could garner back the respect and love of her people.

Answer: Walking in the garden

The meeting between Tony Blair and Queen Elizabeth II at the end of the film at first starts like the beginning of the movie. They are seating in a formal setting but the banter is already much lighter. They both hint at the fact they have learned quite a bit from each other. At this point, the Queen tells him she prefers to walk and they have their official talk while strolling the grounds.

In this setting, the Queen tells him it was difficult to hear how much the people were disappointed but that to her duty was first and self was second. However, she goes on to gently smile and say that perhaps it is time to modernize. A completely different perspective than the start of this movie!