Queen Elizabeth II, the reigning monarch of Great Britain, is a legend, an icon, and has been the moment since her coronation at age 25. The Queen has been portrayed in film and television, like The Crown and The Queen. She's known for loving and having lots of corgis, and has gifted the internet memes as iconic as she is.
Queen Elizabeth, who resides in London, has seen her country through shifts in power, the world through wars and epidemics, and has thus far survived the Coronavirus pandemic. The longest-reigning British monarch in history, she's lost a father, a husband, a daughter-in-law, and countless friends. Throughout her reign, the beloved monarch has met lots of famous people: dignitaries, politicians, actors, musicians, athletes. Who of those celebrities are her friends?
7 Meghan Markle
A former actor, best known for her role in the USA television show Suits, Meghan Markle became a member of the Royal Family when she famously married Queen Elizabeth's grandson Prince Harry. While the couple now lives in Los Angeles with their two children, and have both relinquished their status as Senior Members of the Royal Family, Markle still maintains a good relationship with The Queen. They even named their daughter after the Prince's grandmother.
6 Billy Graham
Billy Graham was an American evangelist, a spiritual advisor to United States Presidents for decades, and brought his Christian message to leagues of people through his television ministry. One of those people affected by his words was Queen Elizabeth. The two of had a strong relationship built on a shared faith, and would visit each other whenever one was in the other's home country. Graham even preached at Windsor and Sandringham multiple times, and was always very complimentary the Queen's personality and mind. Graham died in 2018 at age 99.
5 Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill was Britain's Prime Minister during World War II. While he was much older than the Queen and had known her since she was a child, the two shared a close bond. Churchill had a very close relationship with the Queen's father, King George VI, and was very saddened by his death. But when Queen Elizabeth took over as the reigning monarch, he was enthralled by her and the two built a strong friendship. They bonded over shared hobbies like horse racing and polo, and it's reported that Churchill was the Queen's favorite Prime Minister.
4 The Obamas
More close friends of the Queen are Former President and First Lady of the United States, Barack and Michelle Obama. The Queen met the Obamas through state duty, as she has with nearly ever U.S. President since taking reign. She took a liking to the President and his wife, and has asked if arrangements could be made for them to visit her in England despite no longer being in power in the United States. The Queen and Michelle Obama have such a close relationship, Obama was allowed to break protocol when meeting with the Queen, embracing each other and showing their likeness for one another.
3 Elton John
Iconic British singer Elton John is known around the world for his legendary voice and talent on the piano. The musician was friends with the late Princess Diana, the Queen's former daughter-in-law, as she was very supportive of AIDS research, a cause that is important to John. Since a dramatic dinner at Kensington Palace that the singer documented in his memoir, he and the Queen have blossomed an unlikely friendship. The two have spent quite a bit of time together and have even shared a slow dance.
2 Nelson Mandela
Former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela was the first Black President of his country. He and the Queen had a close friendship, and many Senior Members of the Royal Family met him while he was in power, as they worked with him to mitigate the AIDS epidemic in his country. Mandela and the Queen were so close he called her by her first name, Elizabeth, not 'Your Majesty,' 'Queen,' or any other typical title she is usually addressed as. Mandela is one of the only people in history to have had such an honor as addressing her so informally, demonstrating her fondness for him.
1 The Reagans
The Obamas aren't the only President and First Lady of the United States to strike up a friendship with the Queen through state duty. Former President and First Lady Ronald and Nancy Reagan were powerful Americans with whom the Queen shared a special bond. President Reagan noted the Queen for her grace and authenticity, and Nancy Reagan and the Queen would meet up and bond over drinks. The Reagans were also friends with Prince Charles and Princess Diana when they were married, and Prince Charles attended Ronald Reagan's funeral in 2004, delivering Nancy a handwritten note from the Queen expressing her sorrow and sympathy.
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