Lewis Hamilton is no stranger to Buckingham Palace his latest visit saw him Knighted by the then Prince of Wales, Charles Windsor. Lewis has visited the London home of the British Royal on a number of occasions the first being following his first Formula One world title in 2008. Hamilton was awarded the MBE having become the youngest winner of the F1 drivers’ championship

“It was one of the most overwhelming experiences I’ve ever had,” Lewis revealed.

Palace official Army chief General Sir Richard Dannatt reported Lewis discussed the recent killings in Northern Ireland with the monarch as he collected a Knight Grand Cross.

 

 

Hamilton added, “I don’t think you realise until you’re standing in front of her how special it is.”

“The Queen said she watched very closely the last few laps. She was asking about the car,” he said.

“The pressure’s on now. She’ll be watching as I go into the first race.”

However, several years later Lewis revealed to graham Norton on the late night chat show how the Queen had to chide him over his poor table manners at the lunch following his award ceremony.

Wolff conspiracy theory needs “brain scan” says Tsunoda

 

The luncheon was an intimate affair with just 8 guests and protocol at these events was that the Queen would sit next to the male guest considered the most important while Prince Philip would do the same with a female guest.

Palace courtiers brief the guests extensively on the traditions of these occasions and how to behave in great detail.

Lewis clearly excited about the honour of being seated next to the Queen clearly forgot his briefing and began chatting away to the Queen. Despite Elizabeth telling Lewis how she’d been cheering him on in the previous season’s title decided, this didn’t prevent him from her anger as he flouted table protocol.

 

 

Hamilton explained his misdemeanour to Norton, “I got invited to a lunch and was sitting next to The Queen.

“I was excited and started to talk to her but she said, pointing to my left, ‘No, you speak that way first and I’ll speak this way and then I’ll come back to you’.

When the time was appropriate the Queen turned to Lewis graciously not allowing his bad manners to sour the occasion.

Lewis concluded, “She is a sweet woman and we talked about how she spends her weekends, houses and music. She is really cool.”

Gasly absent from Monza due to mystery illness

 

On Thursday during the Formula One drivers’ media day in Monza, news of the Queen’s deteriorating health reach the Italian paddock. When informed of the rapidly moving events, Lewis sent a message of support to the Queen.

“It is definitely concerning,” Lewis reflected.

“She has been such a strong leader for such a long, long time and so resilient. I know she has always been a real fighter, so my thoughts are with her and the family. My prayers are with them. I am hoping for better news soon.”

 

The Queen was associated with F1 on and off over the years. In 2004 she was invited by then Chairman of the McLaren Group Ron Dennis to open their new state of the art facility.

During her tour of the impressive NormanFoster designed facility, the Queen 

Queen Elizabeth traveled to Woking to officially open the impressive McLaren Group complex designed by renowned architect Norman Foster.met several F1 and McLaren drivers, with F1 world champions Emerson Fittipaldi, Alain Prost and Mika Hakkinen, among others, present for the occasion.

The McLaren team at the Autodromo Monza will wear black armbands to mourn the longest serving British monarch.

The Queen attended the inaugural F1 British GP in 1950.

FIA changes to DRS zones in Monza

 

 

Following the news of Elizabeth II death a visibly shaken Lewis Hamilton paid tribute to the British Monarch in a statement.

“How do you find the words to describe the loss of Her Majesty The Queen? She was truly an iconic leader, an inspiration and a reassuring presence for most, if not all, of our lives.

“Since the sad news yesterday, I’ve been reflecting on her incredible life. She was a symbol of hope for so many and she served her country with dignity, dedication and kindness. 

“She was truly like no other and I’m grateful to have lived during her time. Her legacy will be long-lasting and her passing deeply felt.

“I had the incredible honour of being able to spend time with her. It is something I’ll never forget. We talked about our shared love of dogs and she was incredibly generous with her time.

“I know the whole nation and many others around the world will be mourning her loss and my thoughts and prayers are with her family and all those close to her, who have lost a loved one. Rest in Peace.’

 

 

Some of Lewis critics may suggest his relationship with the Black lives Matter organisation a strange juxtaposition to his love of British the Royal family. 

BLM consider monarchy, empire and government to have oppressed the rights of black people and are against these institutions very existence.

Formula One will pay it’s tribute to The Queen with a minutes silence before the cars head out on track for Friday practice and again before the Italian GP start on Sunday.

READ MORE: F1’s tribute to The Queen

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— Rachel Brookes (@RachelBrookesTV) September 9, 2022