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 The scene, filmed last summer for a documentary due to be
broadcast in Britain next week, offers an unusually informal
glimpse of the 91-year-old monarch, who has given very little
away of her inner self during her 66-year reign.
She is seen walking and chatting with David Attenborough, also
91, a much-loved naturalist and broadcaster known for lavish
series like "Planet Earth" and "Blue Planet".
The pair discuss a conservation project to create a network of
native forests across all 53 Commonwealth countries -- the
subject of the new documentary -- and muse about how there might
be many new trees in Buckingham Palace garden in 50 years.
"Might easily be, yes," the queen says. Then, after a pause, she
adds with a smile: "I won't be here though".
Attenborough chuckles but does not dwell on the remark, instead
commenting on a nearby sundial positioned in the shade of a
tree, rendering it useless.
"Isn't it good, yes," the queen says, before flashing a wide
grin at a person standing off camera. "Had we thought of that,
that it was planted in the shade?" she asks with a chuckle,
adding: "It wasn't in the shade originally, I'm sure."
The queen then suggests the sundial could be moved, to which
Attenborough responds that it depends whether she wishes to know
the time or not.
The documentary, "The Queen's Green Planet", is scheduled for
broadcast on ITV on Monday. It also features other members of
the royal family as well as the actress and campaigner Angelina
Jolie, who has taken part in the environmental project and is
shown describing the queen as "a lovely lady".
"SOUNDS LIKE PRESIDENT TRUMP"
In a separate excerpt from the queen's walk with Attenborough,
released by ITV ahead of broadcast, the quiet of the palace
garden is broken by the noise of a helicopter hovering overhead.
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"Why do they always go round and round when you want to talk?" the
queen asks, adding: "Sounds like President Trump, or President Obama",
apparently referring to the aircraft used by the U.S. presidents
during visits to her.
During another light-hearted moment, the monarch spots a sapling
bent over at an alarming angle, remarking: "Somebody sat on it I
think, at the garden party".
The queen and Attenborough have known each other for many years as
the broadcaster, who has been making nature programmes since the
1950s and continues to draw millions of viewers with every new one,
has received a series of royal honors over the years.
The two nonagenarians appear relaxed together, with little of the
formality and rigid deference often seen in people addressing the
monarch.
The pair look at trees planted in the palace garden to mark the
birth of the queen's children, and Attenborough is seen squatting
down to read the plaques as they try and work out which tree
corresponds to which prince or princess.
The queen, who routinely receives gifts from visitors from every
corner of the planet, comments that the garden has benefited from
many gifts of roses and other plants.
"You know, I've been quite difficult to give presents to, so," she
says, drawing laughter from Attenborough. "Of course they've said
'Oh well, let's give her a plant ... or a tree or something.' Which
is very nice to have."
(Reporting by Estelle Shirbon; editing by Guy Faulconbridge)
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