Two years after the dying of Queen Elizabeth II, her former aide is opening up about her time working for the famed royal — and revealing a number of shock anecdotes.

Samantha Cohen, who was employed by the Queen for 18 years, spoke candidly in a brand new interview with The Sunday Instances, printed on Saturday, October 12.

Cohen described the Queen as a “shy” lady, who was household oriented. “She wished to be a household lady [as well as the Queen]. It was essential to her,” she mentioned. “She cherished internet hosting all people for summer season, allocating the rooms and checking them herself.”

Cohen, an Australian native, began working within the publicity workplace at Buckingham Palace, when she was 25 years previous. She ultimately was promoted to communication secretary, after which to assistant non-public secretary.

In that point, she additionally received to see an surprising facet of the royal that most individuals can’t declare to have recognized: Cohen mentioned that the monarch had a necessity for pace. “She was gutsy. She would drive her vehicles quick round Balmoral.”

Her son, King Charles, just lately remembered his late mom whereas discussing Balmoral in a September speech.

“My late mom particularly treasured the time spent at Balmoral, and it was there, in essentially the most beloved of locations, the place she selected to spend her remaining days,” Charles, 75, mentioned whereas chatting with Scottish Parliament.

Balmoral Fort, positioned in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, is without doubt one of the British royal household’s primary residences and the location of many household holidays, with best situations for looking and different outside actions (apparently, together with driving). Charles referred to the nation as “a uniquely particular place” for his household throughout his speech, which he was giving to rejoice the Scottish Parliament’s twenty fifth anniversary.

Charles additionally introduced up his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mom, noting that she was “proudly” Scottish.

Earlier this yr, Charles broke royal custom making Balmoral Fort open to the general public for the primary time in historical past. The excursions have been scheduled all through the summer season — from July 1 by means of August 4 — and supplied to take guests “on a historic journey by means of a number of of the gorgeous rooms inside Balmoral Fort.”

The royal household has referred to as Balmoral their Scotland residence since 1852. On the time, Prince Albert acquired the property for spouse Queen Victoria. Queen Elizabeth II died within the fortress in September 2022 on the age of 96.