Queen Elizabeth II and James Bond: Iconic 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony scene remembered

The United Kingdom is coming to terms with the loss of Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 96.

As the British public mourns the death of their longest-serving monarch, let’s look back to one of her most iconic sporting-related moments from 2012.

Her entrance at the 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony will forever be iconic.

Although the Queen was expected to be in attendance at the Olympic Stadium as Great Britain prepared to host its first Games since 1948, nobody knew that she’d filmed a special scene with Daniel Craig, who was playing James Bond at the time.

When Bond entered Buckingham Palace, it was still unsure that it was the actual Queen faced away from him.

It was far more likely to be an actor playing the Queen, right?

Then the she turned around and uttered the immortal words: “Good evening, Mr Bond.”

The globally-recognised pair walked through the palace and onto a helicopter, flying over London en route to the Olympic Stadium, past landmarks including Big Ben and the London Eye.

A helicopter then whirled over the Olympic Stadium before ‘The Queen’ and Bond jumped out, strapped to Union Jack parachutes as they descended.

Moments later, the Queen was introduced alongside her husband, Prince Phillip.

“Never can Her Majesty have been introduced to her public in a manner like that,“ commentator Barry Davies said, “and the crowd have loved it.

“Every man and woman on their feet to again celebrate Her Majesty in her Diamond Jubilee year.”

Watch the brilliant clip here:

Best monarch ever pic.twitter.com/3RFSW9xYhj

What a moment this was. One that will certainly never be forgotten.

According to The Independent, the Queen even managed to keep her involvement secret from her family.

Production stage