Queen Elizabeth II was a class act. I do have one story which she figured in.
In 1979, my ship was hosting HMCS Ottawa while the Standing Naval Force Atlantic was visiting Charleston, SC.
We had invited the wardroom of Ottawa out to the Weapons Officer's house for a cookout. As the newest Ensign in the wardroom I was detailed to get a bus and driver to fetch and return Ottawa's officers to their ship.
It was a great cookout on a very warm day. The beer was flowing and all of us had consumed our fair share. On the return trip they were singing loudly. As we approached the gate to the Naval Station I mentioned that I hadn't heard Oh Canada in French in a while and that I knew the words. Well that set them off. So here comes a bus with a dozen+ drunk Canadian officers and one drunk American officer singing Oh Canada, in French, at the top of our lungs. The Marines wanted absolutely no part of that and waved us through.
When we got to their ship they insisted that I come into the wardroom for a visit. This was to give them time to pour a beer or three into my driver who had been forced not to drink at the cookout.
Now I am from a Navy family and I knew the protocol for a foreign officer visiting a RN or Commonwealth ship. I mentioned that it was a shame I didn't have anything in my hand or I would propose a toast to the Queen. If a visiting officer will propose a toast to the Queen, the Queen buys the bottle.
So, thank you madam for buying that bottle of very fine Scotch.
WWG1WGA
Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)