Queen Elizabeth's 'Were you naked?' comment in bizarre encounter with Boris Johnson is hilarious

Queen Elizabeth's comment to Boris Johnson is said to be detailed in a new royal biography and it highlights her sense of humour

Composite of Queen Elizabeth in Scotland in 2022 and Boris Johnson in February 2023
(Image credit: Image 1: Photo by Jane Barlow/WPA Pool/Getty Images//Image 2:Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)

Queen Elizabeth's "Were you naked?" comment to former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is reportedly revealed in a new royal biography.

If there’s one thing the late Queen Elizabeth was known for throughout her 70-year reign it was her dry sense of humour and quick wit. Never one to shy away from making a joke when the situation allowed for it, many of Her Majesty’s hilarious responses have become legendary. Most fans will never have got to hear her best lines in person, but a new biography has revealed Queen Elizabeth’s "Were you naked?" comment and this is surely set to become another iconic turn-of-phrase.

Royal author Robert Hardman’s biography, Charles III: New King. New Court. The Inside Story, has reportedly shed light on a bizarre exchange between Queen Elizabeth and former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson at a meeting.

Queen Elizabeth greets Prime Minister Boris Johnson during an audience at Buckingham Palace in central London on June 23, 2021

(Image credit: Photo by DOMINIC LIPINSKI/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Charles III: New King. New Court. The Inside Story by Robert Hardman | Was £22, Now £15 at Amazon

Charles III: New King. New Court. The Inside Story by Robert Hardman | Was £22, Now £15 at Amazon

This biography delves into King Charles's court and reign so far, drawing on unpublished royal papers and access to family, friends and key officials. It looks at King Charles's vision as monarch, his relationships with his family members and the key role Queen Camilla plays.

As per OK!, the book apparently details how Boris once began to tell the late monarch about a dream he’d had in which he was late for a meeting with her. In response, it’s claimed Queen Elizabeth asked, "Were you naked?", whilst Robert Hardman supposedly added that she’d "heard it all before".

The Queen and Boris Johnson met many times during her reign and this reported comment from Queen Elizabeth highlights her perfect use of humour in her day-to-day life. However, it’s far from the only witty turn-of-phrase from her that’s been remarked upon over the years. Her Majesty was particularly famous for not taking herself too seriously and this shone through in her equally brilliant comment to a group of tourists at Balmoral.

Queen Elizabeth II welcomes newly elected leader of the Conservative party, Boris Johnson during an audience in 2019

(Image credit: Photo by Victoria Jones - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Whilst she might have always dressed impeccably with matching hats and her best winter coats over dresses in colder months and dresses and jackets in the spring and summer, at Balmoral the Queen liked to wear more low-key outfits. So much so that the tourists didn’t recognise her when she was out walking with former royal protection officer Richard Griffin.

According to The Times, he revealed that the tourists asked her if she’d ever met the Queen, to which she apparently replied, "No, but this policeman has", leaving them hilariously none-the-wiser.

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and Queen Elizabeth II attend the Braemar Gathering at the The Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park on September 6, 2014

(Image credit: Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Prince William and Prince Harry previously disclosed that Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip both "loved it" when things went wrong at engagements. Speaking in the BBC’s Prince Philip: The Royal Family Remembers documentary in 2021, Prince William shared that they used to "chuckle" together if mishaps happened.

"Both my grandparents love that, because you can imagine they live a life where everything has to go right the whole time, so when things go wrong, they both chuckle an awful lot. Everyone else gets mortally embarrassed, but they love it," he declared.

Queen Elizabeth II attends 'Derby Day' of the Investec Derby Festival

(Image credit: Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Prince Harry agreed with this, explaining, "There’s everybody doing their absolute best because 'oh, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are coming, let’s make sure we get everything absolutely right'. Yet the two of them are going ‘I wonder if something’s going to go wrong this year! How exciting!’"

The revelation of Queen Elizabeth’s comment she supposedly made to Boris Johnson is certainly in-keeping with these memories of her as a monarch with a great sense of humour, who wasn’t determined for everything to be perfect all the time.

Emma Shacklock

Emma is a Royal Editor with eight years experience working in publishing. Her specialist areas include the British Royal Family, ranging from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the next unmissable show to add to your to-watch list or delving into royal protocol, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!