Do not speak of my staff in that way": The day Elizabeth II reprimanded King Hassan II

Accompanied by Prince Philip, the monarch traveled to Rabat, Casablanca and Marrakech during a four-day official visit. A key moment of this stay was marked by a traditional feast shared with King Hassan II, the father of the current sovereign Mohammed VI. To honor her hosts, Elizabeth II tasted roasted meat without any cutlery, willingly submitting to the local custom rather than the strict British protocol.

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This trip is nevertheless considered one of the most grueling of her reign. According to Hello! Magazine, the organization was punctuated by major unforeseen events, with King Hassan II even leaving without warning for an afternoon. The Moroccan sovereign had also demanded the postponement of the closing banquet at the last minute, a decision that had greatly displeased the queen.

Tensions escalated when the monarch tried to criticize the sovereign’s staff. Elizabeth II then replied firmly: "I would thank you not to speak of my staff in that way." An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that, despite these constant changes in locations and schedules, the queen seemed to have ultimately appreciated this unique experience where nothing went as planned.

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Although she never returned to the country, Elizabeth II retained a certain affection for the Moroccan leader, publicly thanking him for his "warm and generous" hospitality. The photo of this unusual meal, unearthed on social media after her death in 2022, reminds us that for the sovereign, diplomatic courtesy took precedence over rigid codes. She will thus have marked history with her sense of duty and respect for foreign cultures.