Being part of the British royal family isn’t a walk in the park – every slip, every whisper can become headline news in seconds. The institution’s unwritten rulebook says you must stay out of politics, avoid controversy, and never show emotion. Yet, behind the polished veneer lie ten ruthless moves that have kept the crown on its throne. Below we count down these bold, sometimes brutal, actions that illustrate just how the royals protect their power.
10 ruthless moves in action
10 Taking The Saudi Prince For A Ride
Queen Elizabeth II was not just a figurehead; she was a competent driver, a skill she honed during World War II while serving as a second sub‑altern in the Women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service, where she learned to handle heavy trucks. Although the sovereign isn’t required to hold a driver’s licence, she loved being behind the wheel.
In 1998, former Saudi ambassador Sherard Cowper‑Coles recalled a visit by Crown Prince Abdullah to Balmoral. After a leisurely lunch, the Queen suggested a tour of the estate and pointed the prince toward the royal Land Rover. The Crown Prince, seated on the passenger side, was taken aback when the Queen slipped into the driver’s seat, started the engine, and sped off across the rugged Scottish terrain, chatting animatedly as the vehicle bounced over the rough tracks. The startled prince, through his interpreter, eventually begged her to slow down – a moment that coincided with the fact that, at the time, women were still forbidden to drive in Saudi Arabia.
The prince emerged unharmed from the whirlwind ride, and a decade later, in June 2018, Saudi Arabia finally lifted its ban on women drivers, a change that some observers link, at least symbolically, to that unforgettable Scottish spin.
9 The Trial Of Paul Burrell
Paul Burrell, once the personal footman to Queen Elizabeth II and later a trusted aide to Princess Diana, enjoyed a close bond with the late princess – she reportedly called him “my rock.” After Diana’s tragic death in August 1997, Burrell rose to media prominence, joining television panels and taking a high‑profile role with the charity established in her memory.
On 18 January 2001, police raided Burrell’s London home and uncovered 342 items belonging to Diana, hidden away in the attic. The cache included signed CDs, garments, private letters, and photo albums. Burrell vehemently denied any theft, yet he was formally charged and his trial commenced in October 2002.
Media frenzy swirled around the courtroom. Yet, after nine days, the case was abruptly adjourned. Judge Mrs Justice Rafferty sent the jurors home without explanation, only to repeat the instruction the following day. Meanwhile, the Queen, who had been unaware of the proceedings, saw a news report and recalled Burrell mentioning that he had safely stored Diana’s possessions. Prompted by this, the police were informed, and prosecutor William Boyce, QC, told the court there was no realistic prospect of conviction. Burrell walked free, later declaring outside the court, “The queen came through for me.” The Palace issued a statement denying any interference, and Diana’s belongings were eventually returned to her family. The royal family never publicly addressed the episode.
8 The Queen Puts Mrs. Thatcher In Her Place
When Margaret Thatcher shattered glass ceilings as the United Kingdom’s first female prime minister, she and Queen Elizabeth II became the two most powerful women in the nation. Their relationship, however, was far from harmonious. The Queen grew irritated by Thatcher’s habit of arriving early for their meetings and was rumoured to refer to her privately as “that woman.” When Thatcher suggested they coordinate their outfits for a state occasion, the Palace curtly replied, “The Queen does not notice what other people are wearing.”
The Commonwealth, a cornerstone of Elizabeth’s reign, was a point of contention. Thatcher viewed the institution as antiquated, while the Queen pushed for trade sanctions against apartheid‑era South Africa to keep the Commonwealth united. The clash peaked in the 1980s, a period marked by global unease over South Africa’s policies.
In 1986, The Sunday Times ran a headline: “Queen dismayed by ‘uncaring’ Thatcher.” The article detailed a growing rift, prompting the Palace to issue a denial and the Queen to personally telephone Thatcher – a surprising move given the source of the story, Michael Shea, the Queen’s press secretary, was thought to have spoken without royal clearance. Despite the tension, Elizabeth eventually grew to respect Thatcher, and after Thatcher’s death in 2013, the Queen made a last‑minute decision to attend the funeral, even though protocol did not obligate her to be present.
7 Royal Nanny Out In The Cold
The unwritten rule for anyone serving the royal household is simple: keep your mouth shut. In 1932, Marion Crawford, affectionately known as “Crawfie,” began her tenure as nanny to Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret. When Edward VIII abdicated to marry Mrs Simpson, the family moved into Buckingham Palace, and Crawfie followed them into the royal residence.
Over the years, Crawfie earned the trust of the royal family, remaining in service until 1948, when Princess Elizabeth became engaged to Philip Mountbatten. In 1949, the American Ladies’ Home Journal approached her for a feature on royal children. Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, seeing an opportunity for extra income, gave her blessing – on the strict condition that Crawfie’s identity remain anonymous.
The resulting article, filled with sweet anecdotes from the royal nursery, was a hit with American readers. However, the magazine mistakenly named Marion Crawford as the interviewee. Furious, the Queen Mother immediately blamed Crawfie, accusing her of “going off her head.” The royal family severed ties, and Crawfie retreated to Scotland, where she battled depression and attempted suicide twice. She kept the letters granting permission to speak to the magazine locked away, refusing to release them even when they could have cleared her name. Marion died in a nursing home in 1988, still hoping for a reunion. In her will, she requested that all personal letters be returned to the Palace for safekeeping, a request the royals have never publicly addressed.
6 Diana’s Rage
Following Charles’s divorce from Diana, he appointed Alexandra “Tiggy” Legge‑Bourke, a well‑connected young woman, to assist with the upbringing of his sons. Tiggy’s role was less that of a stern nanny and more of a fun older sister, quickly forging a close bond with the princes. Diana, however, was far from impressed.
As tensions rose between the two households, Diana began to suspect – erroneously – that Tiggy and Charles were involved in an affair. A false rumor circulated that Tiggy had undergone an abortion. At a staff party in December 1996, Diana confronted Tiggy, allegedly saying, “So sorry about the baby.” In response, Tiggy hired top libel lawyer Peter Carter‑Ruck to write to Diana’s solicitors demanding an apology for the remark.
Tiggy continued working for Charles until 1999, when she left to marry. She has remained close to Princes William and Harry, maintaining a lasting connection despite the earlier drama.
5 The Attempted Kidnap Of Princess Anne
Princess Anne’s reputation for resilience was put to the ultimate test on 20 March 1974 when 26‑year‑old Ian Ball attempted to snatch the queen’s only daughter. While Anne, her husband Mark Phillips, a bodyguard, and her lady‑in‑waiting traveled in a royal limousine, Ball rammed his car into theirs, leapt out, and brandished two handguns.
Anne’s bodyguard moved to intervene and was shot in the shoulder. Ball shouted, “Open or I’ll shoot!” as he tried to force his way into the vehicle. Anne and Phillips struggled to keep the doors shut. The chauffeur, attempting to protect the princess, was shot in the chest. Ball managed to seize Anne’s wrist while Phillips, a captain in the British Army, clung to her waist.
Ball demanded, “Please come out,” to which Anne famously retorted, “Not bloody likely!” The assailant then shot a police officer and a passing motorist who tried to help. A passerby finally punched Ball in the head, allowing police to intervene. As Ball fled toward a nearby park, Anne oddly told him, “Go on, now’s your chance.” He was apprehended shortly thereafter. A search of his rented car uncovered handcuffs, Valium, and a ransom note addressed to the queen demanding £2 million and threatening that Anne would be shot dead.
Ball was sentenced to life in a psychiatric unit. All those who came to Anne’s aid survived and were later recognized for their bravery. Anne later described the harrowing encounter as “a very irritating conversation.”
4 The Death Of A Princess
On 31 August 1997, Princess Diana was killed in a high‑speed car crash in Paris. The world mourned, while the royal family was on a summer holiday in Scotland. Apart from a brief statement, the monarchy remained largely silent, fueling public anger and speculation.
In London, crowds gathered outside Kensington Palace, laying flowers and grieving openly. Many focused their frustration on Buckingham Palace, where the Union Jack continued to fly at full‑mast. To many observers, this symbolised the perceived coldness of the royals toward Diana, who, despite her popularity, had lost the “HRH” style after her divorce.
In reality, the Royal Standard, which represents the continuity of the monarchy, is never lowered. When a sovereign dies, another instantly assumes the throne, so the flag never flies at half‑mast. At the time of Diana’s death, the Queen was not in residence, and the Union Jack was the flag flown, which is only lowered to half‑mast for the death of an HRH. The media seized on the discrepancy, publishing headlines such as “Where is the Queen?” The royal family stayed on holiday, and the flag remained at full‑mast.
On the eve of Diana’s funeral, the Queen delivered an unexpected televised address, paying tribute to the late princess. The following morning, without prior announcement, the Union Jack was finally lowered to half‑mast and remained so until midnight, marking a last‑minute gesture of respect.
3 Farewell, Britannia
One of Queen Elizabeth II’s cherished retreats was the royal yacht Britannia. Launched in 1953, the vessel toured the globe, hosting luminaries such as Winston Churchill and Nelson Mandela. It also served as a private family holiday haven, offering the monarch a rare sense of peace.
In 1997, newly elected Prime Minister Tony Blair, amid a cost‑cutting drive, blocked a £17 million refurbishment request for the yacht. The move came after public criticism of royal spending following the Windsor Castle fire. As the royals are prohibited from expressing political opinions, the decision was a blow.
In December 1997, the Queen and Princess Anne stood on the dock as Britannia was decommissioned and sent to become a tourist attraction beside a shopping centre in Edinburgh. The loss lingered for years; Prince Philip later remarked that the yacht could have sailed for another half‑century. Some observers speculate that the incident contributed to the decision to exclude Tony Blair from Prince William’s 2011 wedding guest list.
2 An Awkward Meeting
Queen Elizabeth II shared a close bond with her cousin, Lord Mountbatten, who mentored the young Prince Charles. In 1979, Mountbatten fell victim to an IRA‑planted bomb that exploded on his boat in Ireland, killing his 14‑year‑old grandson and a local 15‑year‑old boy.
Martin McGuinness, a former IRA leader who later became Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, crossed paths with the Queen in June 2012. During a visit to Belfast, she shook his hand publicly – a historic moment given their fraught histories. Their second encounter in 2016 saw McGuinness ask how she was, to which she replied, “Well, I’m still alive.”
1 Sitting Pretty
Marrying into the royal family is a delicate dance; the acceptance of a new member often puts their own family under a microscope. When Kate Middleton wed Prince William, the public saw a warm, cohesive family, a stark contrast to the more distant Prince Charles. After the birth of William’s children, Charles began to sense his own marginalisation.
The tension peaked when the couple chose to spend Christmas with Kate’s parents, sidestepping the traditional gathering at Sandringham. In response, Charles’s staff reportedly began to freeze out the Middletons, a move that irked William. The media caught wind of the rift, prompting the Queen – who reportedly held a fondness for Kate’s family – to intervene.
In September 2016, the Queen personally invited the Middletons to stay at Balmoral as her own guests. Photographs captured the royal party heading to a shooting party, with the Queen at the wheel and Kate seated beside her as the honoured guest, while the security detail was relegated to the back seats. It was a subtle yet powerful visual declaration: the queen had her own version of “game, set, match.”