The Queen's Jesters

Robert Ross runs his rule over the favourite comedians of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

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Since the death of Queen Elizabeth II, as well as reflection on a long life of service, there has been a nearconstant memory of the sparkle of her smile and the joy of her sense of humour: she parachuted out of James Bond's helicopter for the start of the 2012 Olympics, after all.

This goes right back to when, still as Princess Elizabeth, her father, King George VI, arranged a very special 16th birthday present for her. It's That Man Again, or ITMA as the entire war-torn nation knew it, was a wacky, weekly half-hour of crazy characters and catchy catchphrases. The royal family adored it.

So much so, it was said, that if the war came to an end on a Thursday between 8.30pm and 9pm, no one would dare disturb the monarch and his wife and children, avidly gathered around their wireless set. In what was the very first royal command radio show, fast-talking star comedian Tommy Handley rallied his ITMA troupe for this birthday treat at Windsor Castle in April 1942. 

Behind closed doors, the young princesses would entertain the family, and each other, by re-enacting the silliness of radio comedy. This would continue for decades, with elements of The Goon Show and then Round the Horne becoming part of their repertoire.

The pivotal comedic event in the Queen's calendar was the Royal Variety Performance. Elizabeth first attended, at the Coliseum, in November 1945, the first after the end of the war, and the first for star comedian Sid Field, who proved so popular he was back the following November too. That evening also boasted sniffing droll Will Hay on the bill. Princess Elizabeth was back, this time accompanied by her dashing fiance Philip Mountbatten, in November 1947: with the couple marrying just a fortnight later.