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Queen Elizabeth had asked to be a part of the James Bond sketch at the Olympics Opening Ceremony, according to its writer. Frank Cottrell-Boyce was the scriptwriter for director Danny Boyle’s spectacular show, and revealed that the team was “stunned” when Her Majesty let it be known she would take part. Her acting debut was pre-recorded at Buckingham Palace and shows the 86-year-old monarch with two corgis at her feet turn to James Bond star Daniel Craig and say “good evening, Mr Bond.” Stunt doubles of the duo then parachuted into the Olympic stadium from a helicopter, before the Queen declared the Games open. “The idea originally came from our designer Mark Tildesley,” the Telegraph quoted Frank, who worked with Boyle previously on the British comedy film ‘Millions’, as saying. “Danny said this idea must have come from somewhere, a film like Austin Powers or Johnny English. “It sat on his desk and when we eventually found nobody else had used it, Danny contacted the Palace. “Our whole office was stunned when we got the reply saying the Queen not only gave permission but wanted to be in it. “The timing of the film showing her leaving the Palace with Daniel Craig as James Bond, the helicopter’s arrival over the stadium, ‘her’ parachute jump and appearance in the Royal Box was all perfect. “There were people around me in the stadium who were actually asking each other if it really was the Queen jumping out of the helicopter. “It was thrilling to have been able to create a level of magic where people wanted to believe their eyes when their minds told them it couldn’t be true,” he added.

Queen asked to be Bond girl at Olympics Opening Ceremony