Queen Elizabeth II drank a martini before entertaining guests in the air and requested a specific brand of mints before takeoff, according to newly revealed notes kept by a flight attendant who served the late monarch 35 years ago.
Never-before-seen notes, instructions and recollections from a British Airways flight attendant reveal detailed information about the royal’s preferences, special requests and quirks while flying on a tour of Singapore and Malaysia in 1989.
The stewardess from Moseley, Birmingham – Elizabeth Evans – had detailed notes and instructions on flights with the Queen and Prince Philip and was even given a certificate to commemorate her work, according to Hansons Auctioneers, which is auctioning her collection.
Queen Elizabeth “tends to enjoy a martini before her guests arrive,” reads a note kept by Evans, who worked as a cabin crew member for British Airways for 28 years, starting in 1970.
She would also ask for a bowl of Velamints to have on hand before takeoff and in her dressing room, according to the late flight attendant.
The monarch slept on her own pillows at home and her dresser made her bed, according to notes reviewed by Hansons.
Finally, no one was to wake the Queen if she was asleep when the plane arrived, Hansons said.
“If Her Majesty was asleep before landing, the crew were instructed not to disturb her. She was to be left in her bed,” the auction house said.
Evans, who died aged 70 in 2017, also served several celebrities during her time with British Airways aboard Concorde, the world’s first commercial supersonic airliner.
She collected menus and autographs from some of Hollywood’s biggest names, including Rod Stewart, Cliff Richard, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Patrick Swayze and tennis champions Billie Jean King and Virginia Wade.
“His proudest achievement was being on board Concorde in the 1980s and 1990s, at a time when everyone wanted to experience flying at twice the speed of sound,” Hansons wrote in a statement about the collection.
“The capacity of the Concorde was such that it could travel from London to New York in about three hours.”
The collection of memorabilia from Evans’ long career was discovered by her niece who travelled to her home in South Africa to arrange the funeral.
“Having discovered this treasure trove of my aunt’s career and experiences with BA, particularly her fantastic travel on Concorde and in the service of the Queen, I was sad that none of this has seen the light of day,” said Jo Smallwood.
“I believe this collection is a little piece of history that should be shared and enjoyed by someone.”
The collection is expected to go to auction from Thursday to Tuesday with an estimated value of between £400 and £600, or around $500 to $760.
“Elizabeth has accumulated memories during what must have been a very rewarding career,” said Hansons owner Charles Hanson.
“His memoirs illustrate the life and times of Concorde in its heyday and the attention to detail that went into luxury travel with British Airways. No VIP wish was too small to be fulfilled. Even smoking was permitted on board at the time.”
