‘The Queen is very charming – even I get embarrassed when she comes over!’
Royal expert and former BBC journalist Jennie Bond on what lies ahead for the monarchy and some memorable moments from her career
When we arrive at former BBC royal reporter Jennie Bond’s Devonshire home, she greets us in a patriotic outfit of a blue tea dress, a pearl necklace and red lipstick. Originally a First World War Army barracks, Jennie’s house – which she bought in 1992 with husband Jim, 83 – was originally a First World War Army barracks. It’s vast and colourful, with the furniture and walls all hand-painted by her.
The 71-year-old quit her BBC role in 2003 to move to Devon. At the height of her royal reporting, she’d travel 10 hours to London and back again, suffering waves of guilt for leaving her young daughter Emma, who’s now 32, behind. “They also stopped asking me to read the news,” she says. “I feel back then 50 was a watershed. Men were fine but women were not.”
Today, Jennie is thriving as a royal commentator on daytime TV. If she’s not working, she tends to be doing a Zoom Pilates class or looking after her three Shetland ponies. “They poo 19 times day!” she laughs. Here, she talks about the future of the monarchy and the biggest moments in her career...
Hi, Jennie. Do you think we’ll see a noticeable step back from the Queen now?
We already have. It’s clear we’re in the transition. I don’t think that means the Queen will abdicate, but the norm will be that she won’t be at all the events we’re used to seeing her at. She can stay in touch with charities and ambassadors via Zoom and we’re getting a more intimate view of her. She’s very visible and will continue to be. Fundamentally, she carries on because the Queen enjoys being Queen.
She looks in great health. What’s her diet like?
She eats fresh, simple foods that don’t upset her tummy, such as seafood and garlic.
What are Her Majesty’s creature comforts?
She’s partial to having a rug over her knees. In the carriages, there’s often a rug and hot water bottle hidden. She likes to stay warm.
What’s left on her bucket list?
Having welcomed James Bond into her parlour [in her film skit for the London 2012 Olympics], I think winning the Derby. Sadly, it won’t happen this year as all three [of Her Majesty’s] horses have been pulled out.
You have met the Queen many times. What was that like?
She’s so charming but even seasoned old journalists like me get embarrassed when she comes over. Generally, I try to tell a story. Once, I told her I’d been to see her wedding dress at an exhibition and said, ‘What an incredibly tiny waist you had, what a wonderful figure!’ She looked surprised but gave me a smile. I think she liked it.
What do you think is her favourite decade of her reign?
The 60s. By then she was very experienced and had the joy of having two more children, Andrew and Edward, 10 years apart from her first brood [Charles and Anne]. She was more relaxed and could manage being a working woman with being a good mum.
How do you think the monarchy will be modernised under Charles?
Change within the monarchy will be accelerated, because he wants to put his own mark on it during what will inevitably be a relatively short reign. He wants the monarchy to be more focused and slimmed-down. But with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge there will be a total change in style. They already invite people to call them William and Catherine and drop their titles, and don’t expect bowing or curtseying.
They are much more relatable.
The relationship between the Queen and Camilla has clearly improved over the years. What is your take on this?
The Queen has always had a great deal more in common with Camilla than she had with Diana, but it was a very difficult decision to endorse an adulterous relationship and she had to keep her distance.
I think the Queen has a great deal of respect and affection for Camilla. They get on just fine.
What do you think is the greatest threat to the Queen’s happiness?
The threat to the popularity of the institution. She cares deeply about the monarchy and to see it being criticised because of domestic turmoil, because of the allegations against Prince Andrew and the court case, I feel for her. It’s not just the monarchy but her family being torn apart. She’s done a good job at keeping Harry and Meghan, as she stated, as much-loved members of the family!
You were covering Prince Charles’ 1994 visit to Australia when a “gunman” targeted him. That must have been scary...
It was Australia Day and he ended up at this tedious concert. Most of the journalists had gone to get a transcript of the speech he was going to make but
I was hanging around. I heard this “bang, bang, bang”. I thought I’d just seen an assassination on the future king. It wasn’t – it was a starter pistol and a protest – but it was frightening to see his bodyguard leap across and almost knock Charles to the floor. It was extremely dramatic. I spent 40 hours awake reporting on that.
Have you ever felt worried for your own safety?
The only time was after [TV presenter] Jill Dando’s death [in a shooting at her home in 1999], which I announced on air. She was a friend and a colleague. When I got home late for the next few weeks, I worried.
And finally, we’d love to know – is the Queen a fan of Prime Minister Boris Johnson?
I think her favourite PM was John Major. She adored Winston Churchill and had a soft spot for Harold Wilson. There are certain characters she gets on with and I wouldn’t have thought that Boris was one.