"Queen calls Chinese officials ‘very rude’"

E.R. really seems to be mellowing into this monarchy thing.
From the Financial Times:

Chinese officials were “very rude” during President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the UK last year and threatened to end his tour early, according to an exchange between Queen Elizabeth and a senior London police commander.

The conversation, inadvertently filmed by a royal cameraman and available online, occurred at a Buckingham Palace garden party on Tuesday. It began when the Queen was introduced to Commander Lucy D’Orsi and informed that she had been the police officer in charge during Mr Xi’s visit.

Oh, bad luck,” the Queen said. She added later that “[Chinese officials] were very rude to the ambassador”, referring to her representative in Beijing, Barbara Woodward.

Neither the Queen nor Ms D’Orsi referred to the specifics of the incident, but their conversation will embarrass British officials who have proclaimed their country to be China’s “best friend” in Europe. 

“We do not comment on the Queen’s private conversations,” a palace spokesperson said. “However, the Chinese state visit was extremely successful and all parties worked closely to ensure it proceeded smoothly.” A UK embassy spokesperson in Beijing declined to comment....MORE

This follows on a couple other recent examples of Her Majesty letting the chips fall where they may while being recorded.


On American politics:

And regaling the Duchess with anecdotes of President Obama's visit: