You might have never heard of Elizabeth Evans but the former British Airways flight attendant met a fare share of celebrities in her. Now that her collection of memorabilia is being auctioned off by Hansons Auctioneers, some details about the late Queen Elizabeth II’s in-air demands are being revealed.
Evans, from Moseley (Birmingham), started her 28-year-long career in 1970. During her time as a hostess, she kept a small collection of memorabilia, in memory of the many celebrities she was able to meet during her flights. Aside from people like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Patrick Swayze, Evans also got to serve Queen Elizabeth II during her 1989 tour of Singapore and Malaysia.
“Elizabeth’s archive sweeps us back in time to the 1970s, 80s and 90s when flying on Concorde was a luxurious privilege enjoyed by the wealthy jet-set. Celebrities flocked to use its services and carrying royalty was the norm. Service had to be first class”, Hansons Auctioneers writes.
Evans’ collection, going on auction on Thursday, 15 August, includes a list of guidelines that was given to her in order to prepare for her voyage with the royal couple. “Elizabeth was clearly highly regarded by BA because she served some of the most important people in the world. Take that 1989 British Airways Royal Flight. Her memorabilia includes confidential instructions on how to care for our late Queen and Prince Philip – right down to the sweets Her Majesty preferred on take-off.”
Indeed, the instructions unveil some never-before known details about the Queen’s preferences. As it turns out, Her Majesty always took her own pillows with her on a flight and she also had a favourite drink.
The Queen liked to have a bowl of Velamints at hand and in her dressing room. The instructions also stated she, “tends to like a Martini before her guests arrive”. Royal comforts included having her own pillows and her dresser made up her bed. Also, if Her Majesty was asleep prior to landing, cabin crew were instructed not to not disturb her, she should have been “left in her bed”.
Even though Queen Elizabeth enjoyed her Martini for many more years to come, this tradition came to an end in 2021 – one year before her death – mainly due to her health conditions. “It’s bad for her joints, and she can’t drink too much when she’s doing all these royal engagements — it’s not a job you can drink in”, Royal sommelier Demetri Walters revealed in 2021.
The auction of Evans’ collection, set to take place from Thursday 15 August until Tuesday 20 August, is expected to bring in 400 to 600 pounds (460 to 700 euros).
