Elizabeth II liked to drink a Martini before meeting guests when she was flying and always requested a particular type of mint sweet during take-off, it has emerged. also enjoyed following the route map while travelling. Her flying habits are revealed in a treasure trove of memorabilia kept for decades by an air hostess who worked for British Airways for 28 years from 1970.
Elizabeth Evans, from Birmingham, served many famous travellers during her long career, among them the late Queen and Prince Philip during their 1989 tour of Singapore and Malaysia. A collection of mementoes found in Mrs Evans’ study following her death contains confidential instructions on how to look after the royal couple. The points of etiquette reveal that the late Queen liked a bowl of sugar-free Velamints beside her on take-off and that she should be left to doze if she was sleeping prior to landing.
She also preferred to use her own pillows, with her personal dresser advising on how to make up her bed. Any guests joining the royals for dinner would be told what time cocktails were to be served in the royal compartment and the Queen would later be asked which wine she would like served with dinner. “Her Majesty tends to like a Martini before her guests arrive,” the notes state.
Canapes were served with cocktails before the guests took their seats and staff were reminded that the late Queen must be served first. One section of the notes is titled “Tips for Royal Compartment”, under which is.