In an article entitled The most embarrassing moments in my diplomatic career, veteran Israeli diplomat Yehuda Avner reminisces about the time he presented his ambassador’s credentials to the queen.
Escorted into the queen’s chamber by a chamberlain dressed like the Duke of Wellington, I executed the rehearsed choreography with due aplomb: bowing at the door, walking two steps forward, bowing again, two more steps forward, bowing once more and proclaiming, “Your Majesty, I have the honor to present to you my credentials as the ambassador of Israel to the Court of St. James’s.”
“Thank you,” said the queen, taking the embossed document in her white-gloved hand and passing it to her chamberlain. Then, in a voice that sounded mystified, she said, “I do believe this is the very first time I have ever received credentials from a foreign ambassador actually born in this country. How did you manage that?”
Anticipating the question, I had rehearsed a rather high-minded response:
“Your Majesty,” said I, “though physically born in this country, I was spiritually given birth to in Jerusalem, from whence my ancestors were exiled by Roman legions 2,000 years ago.”
“Were they really?” said the queen. “How unfortunate!” and she began to talk about the weather.
And that’s about all you need to know about the queen.
