The Story The Queen was a Remainer: her secret views on Brexit revealed - the Saturday Story
Aug 30, 2025
Valentine Low, a former royal correspondent at The Times and author of 'Power and the Palace', reveals the hidden dynamics of the British monarchy in relation to government. He discusses Queen Elizabeth II's private views on Brexit, highlighting her position as a Remainer. The podcast shares light-hearted anecdotes, including her humorous interactions with figures like Barack Obama, and explores the complexities of royal succession and the careful balancing act the monarchy must perform between tradition and modern political sentiment.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Queen Privately Favoured Remain
- Queen Elizabeth II privately supported remaining in the EU, calling it "better to stick with the devil you know."
- She viewed European cooperation as crucial to the post-war settlement despite bureaucratic frustrations.
Palace Won On Royal Finances
- George Osborne negotiated the sovereign grant with the Queen and discussed details directly with her.
- The Treasury later tried to reduce generosity, but Alan Reid insisted, saying the Queen had agreed to the deal.
Quick Palace Call Secured A Royal Lunch
- When Mohammed bin Salman visited in 2018, the Queen quickly arranged a lunch to meet him after he was disappointed at not seeing her.
- He was visibly affected and even spoke Arabic through an interpreter during the meeting.
