An “inexperienced” policeman made the unfortunate mistake of stopping the Queen’s driver and demanding his licence after failing to understand why the official vehicle lacked number plates.

Since the terrible news of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing on Thursday afternoon, mourning royal admirers from all over the world have sent moving tributes to her. Thousands of people have gathered to pay their respects at royal locations throughout the UK, including Balmoral and the Palace of Holyrood House. She has been affectionately referred to as the “nation’s granny.”

Those who were fortunate enough to have interacted with the Queen, whether it was through a long working relationship or a brief encounter at an event, have always acknowledged the late monarch’s exceptional capacity for putting others at ease. Throughout her rule, she remained steadfastly formal yet occasionally showed a hint of humour.

One such incident came to light when a police officer made the regrettable error of failing to recognise the Queen as she rode in her official car with her daughter, Princess Anne, down The Mall to Buckingham Palace.

The untrained cop even reportedly asked the Queen’s driver for his driver’s licence after pulling him up, according to The Mail.

Author and writer Penny Junor stated in a newspaper article: “The young man had probably observed the car had no number plate but obviously had not recognised the Royal emblem on its roof.

The driver pointed over his shoulder to indicate that he had someone special in the back in an effort to spare the policeman’s embarrassment.

The revered monarch’s response was amusing and sympathetic as she unsuccessfully attempted to prevent the rookie officer from blushing.

Junor continued, “The cop who blundered on missed the hint. The Queen instructed Anne to follow suit as she slipped down onto the car’s floor to disappear from view, as she was equally eager to spare everyone from shame.

“The driver continued to gesticulate until finally the penny dropped”.

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Griffin then explained: “As quick as a flash, she said ‘Well I haven’t but Dick here meets her regularly'”.

The American couple, still baffled, requested a picture with the Queen on the premises.

The hikers still hadn’t noticed when Griffin quickly switched places with Her Majesty to take a picture of them with the Queen.

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