Queen Elizabeth has been our head of state for longer than any of her predecessors in history.

She became Monarch before she turned 26.

Yesterday she turned 90.

Most of us see her on television, attending official functions, making speeches, opening parliament or delivering her annual Christmas message – all rather formal, and formulaic, settings.

But those who have met her offer insights into her personality that portray a woman who is serious about her job and of firm religious faith, but also with a great sense of humour, a down-to-earth practicality, equal respect for everyone – and a good knowledge of cars and a love of jigsaw puzzles.

They’re a few of the characteristics that Rt Rev James Newcome, the Bishop of Carlisle, has noted.

Eighteen months ago Bishop James was appointed “Clerk of the Closet”, one of the traditional positions in the royal household.

The closet in question is the royal bedroom, the job carries an annual salary of £7, and the position dates from 1437. But the bishop points out: “It has changed over the years!”

Nowadays, there are three strands to it. A team of 36 chaplains conduct services at the Queen’s own chapel at St James’s Palace, working there on a rota basis and James explains: “I’m head of that college. So when people retire or resign I suggest who could replace them.”


The Rt Rev James Newcome He adds: “Every new diocesan bishop has to ‘pay homage’ to the Queen. I oversee that with the Lord Chancellor. And if anybody writes a book and dedicates it to Her Majesty then I read it and vet it to make sure it’s suitable.”

The book could be about anything – even a detective novel – though they are more likely to be biographies or works of theology.

Three names were shortlisted for the job in November 2014 and Bishop James was chosen, but he admits: “I hadn’t even known the job existed. It was a great surprise – but a pleasant surprise. It’s a great honour.”

He isn’t sure why he was chosen. But it may have been because he had met her before.

Bishop James spent a weekend with the Queen and Prince Philip at Sandringham, their home in Norfolk, with a group of other guests.

There were meals and walks around the grounds, he preached there on the Sunday – and he got an insight into their home life.

“They were very warm and friendly and made me feel very welcome,” he recalls.

“We watched the news on TV and did some jigsaw puzzles. She’s very keen on jigsaws.”

Yesterday’s birthday was a private, family affair, with more public celebrations planned for the weekend of her “official” birthday, on June 11 and 12.

But Bishop James believes her silver, golden and diamond jubilees – celebrating 25, 50 and 60 years of her reign respectively – matter more to her. “She would probably regard them as more important than the fact that she’s turned 90.”

That was one of the most noticeable aspects of her personality: how seriously she takes the job.

“She attaches so much significance to the promise she made at the Coronation,” he says.

“People would say her position is a very privileged one. but it’s also a very demanding one. And she is still working 40 hours a week at the age of 90. She really values the fact that people pray for her.”

That reflects another significant side to her character – her strong religious belief.

She’s quite practical and down to earth. People are always impressed by that

“Her faith informs the way she rules and her great sense of duty.”

He quotes the words of her Christmas message in 2014. “She said: ‘For me the life of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, whose birth we celebrate today, is an inspiration and an anchor... Christ’s example has taught me to seek to respect and value all people, of whatever faith or none.’

“That sums it up.”

That respect and value for everyone is something else he observed. “She’s very consistent, she’s very approachable and friendly.

“She is the same whether you are a president or a footman in the palace. She really does seem to respect everybody, regardless.

“She’s quite practical and down to earth. People are always impressed by that, because she’s interested in them, and isn’t at all aloof and distant.”

He also points out that – unlike some of her predecessors – the Queen shows great integrity.

“She does what she says she will. That hasn’t been the case with every monarch, but it is with Queen Elizabeth.”

It was shown in the way she has handled some personal tragedies. “There was her children getting divorced, Diana’s death, the death of her mother and her sister Princess Margaret, the murder of Lord Mountbatten.

“She’s had a fair amount of difficulty, one way or another, but she has coped with it all with huge dignity.”

Those who have met her often say she can be very funny, and even a gifted mimic.

The bishop hasn’t heard any of her impressions but says: “She does have a great sense of humour. I’ve had quite a laugh with her.”

Her love of dogs and horses is well-known but he adds: “She’s very good on cars, and likes driving. I think she’s happiest when she’s with nature and animals and her family.”


Canon Geoffrey Ravalde One of the 36 royal chaplains managed by Bishop James is Canon Geoffrey Ravalde, vicar of St Mary’s church in Wigton and St Andrew’s in Thursby.

Like Bishop James, he was surprised by the appointment. “There’s nothing special about me, I’m just an ordinary parish priest,” he says, modestly.

But in October he conducted the service at the Queen’s chapel in St James’s Palace, and is due to do so again in October this year.

The 36 chaplains come from across Britain, and he sees two sides to the role.

“It is to represent that the Queen is the head of the church and a very committed and devoted head of the church.

“It’s also to represent the fact that the Christian tradition is found all over the country, not just in palaces but in Cumbria too.

“We are ambassadors for the Queen and ambassadors representing the Christian church.”

In that they’re similar to the public holidays at Christmas and Easter. “They’re another of the little things that remind people of our Christian heritage and Christian present.”

Chaplains don a special red cassock when they preach in the royal chapels. But sermons there don’t have to be specially tailored the royal family.

Last year Mr Ravalde talked about the opportunities people have when they are young to dedicate themselves to serving others, and he points out: “It was a sermon I would happily deliver anywhere.”

Since Henry VIII, the British Monarch has also been head of the Church of England but Mr Ravalde notes: “She takes her faith very seriously – I think it’s more than just going with the job. She frequently refers to the significance of her personal faith.”

He also met the Queen at a garden party in May last year. “I felt I was Wigton and Thursby’s representative. We had a short conversation.

“What comes across is that she sees herself as a servant of the nation.

“She represents the nation as a whole – and that’s why she’s loved by the nation as a whole.”