QuickCheck: Does Queen Elizabeth II have a body double?

IT’S NOT easy being the Queen of England. Queen Elizabeth II conducts many high-profile public engagements every year. As such, it makes sense that these events need to be thoroughly rehearsed beforehand. However, a busy monarch might not always have the time to make it to every rehearsal.

Is it true, then, that the Queen has a body double to stand in for her?

Verdict:

TRUE

For over three decades, pensioner Ella Slack has served as the "Rehearsal Queen" of England.

Slack is not a body double in the truest sense of the word – she isn’t a doppelganger of the Queen, nor does she actually attend public events in the Queen’s place. However, Slack is of similar size and stature to Queen Elizabeth II, making her the perfect person to play the role of the Queen during unofficial rehearsals.

In a video published on the YouTube channel "Great Big Story" Slack explains how she managed to land the unique opportunity to stand in for the Queen: "It started because I was at the BBC and the producer came to see me and said that the Queen had sent a message to say that when she stood at the Cenotaph the sun was in her eyes, and so could we do anything about it."

The Cenotaph is a war memorial in London commemorating British and Commonwealth soldiers killed in World War I and World War II, as well as British soldiers killed in all subsequent wars.

"Well, I said to him, would you like me to come and stand in the position for you because all the stage managers were six-foot men. And then that led to other things. I went in her royal carriage and rode on the boat up to the Tower of London," she said.

Ever since then, Slack has been involved in many important rehearsals, including occasions such as the State Opening of Parliament; her role is vital in helping organisers determine the perfect setup and lighting for events that will feature the monarch.

One very strict rule, according to Slack, is that she is not allowed to sit on the throne.

"I have to lurk above it. It’s a very strict rule," she explained.

Britain’s Royal Central portal states that Slack has never accepted payments for the service she provides. Instead, she considers it "a pleasure and an honour" to be able to stand in for the Queen.

"The events that I’ve been helping with are events that are transmitted worldwide, and millions of people are going to watch. I look afterwards, and watch the programmes going out, and I’ll see her there, and think, I did it for you," said Slack.

However, Slack has not had as much work to do of late. Due to the pandemic and Queen Elizabeth’s advancing age (which puts her in the high-risk category), the royals have not been holding as many in-person events as before.

References:

1. https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-europe-isle-of-man-41097184

2. https://royalcentral.co.uk/uk/queen/meet-ella-slack-the-woman-who-has-stood-in-for-the-queen-as-her-body-double-for-over-three-decades-151425/

3. https://www.marieclaire.co.uk/news/celebrity-news/queen-body-double-716532

4. https://cafemom.com/entertainment/queen-elizabeth-stand-in-speaking-out