Queen Elizabeth II’s air travel preferences, including her pre-landing rituals, have been disclosed by Queen Elizabeth Evans, a former British Airways flight attendant who served the monarch during her lengthy reign. Evans, who worked for British Airways for 28 years, documented the Queen’s specific requests in her notes, which are now set to be auctioned.
In 1989, Evans was assigned to a Royal Flight that carried Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip on a tour of Singapore and Malaysia. According to Evans, the Queen had a penchant for drinking a martini before meeting her guests mid-air. Additionally, she preferred to sleep on pillows from her home while on the plane.
Evans’ notes also revealed other personal details about the Queen’s in-flight preferences. Before takeoff, Queen Elizabeth would request a bowl of Velamints, which she would keep in her dressing room. Evans also noted that the Queen’s dresser would prepare her bed on the plane, and cabin crew were instructed not to wake her if she was asleep upon arrival.
Queen Elizabeth Evans, who passed away in 2017 at the age of 70, was awarded a certificate for her service during the royal flight. Her collection of memorabilia, which includes these personal notes, is expected to fetch between $500 and $760 at auction, according to Hansons Auctioneers.
Throughout her career, Evans served numerous high-profile figures, including celebrities aboard the Concorde, the world’s first commercial supersonic airliner. The auction of her notes provides a rare glimpse into the personal habits and preferences of one of the longest-reigning monarchs in history.
