There has been much solemnity and seriousness in the Queen's life - but as she reaches her 96th birthday, what has often been overlooked is her sense of humour.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II visits The Honourable Society of Lincolns Inn to open the new Ashworth Centre, and re-open the recently renovated Great Hall, in London on December 13, 2018. Photo: AFP
"Laughing things off has been an important survival technique," says royal historian Robert Lacey.
The Queen's well-developed "sense of the absurd" has been a vital private outlet from such a highly choreographed public life, where she often has to remain straight-faced, he says.
"She obviously takes her job seriously - but at the same time, it doesn't stop her having a sense of the ridiculous," Lacey says.
The Duke of Sussex, after last week's flying visit to the UK, singled out his grandmother's "great sense of humour" as her best quality.
Britain's Prince Charles, Prince of Wales reacts as he sits with his mother Queen Elizabeth II during an event to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings, in Portsmouth, southern England, on June 5, 2019. Photo: AFP
Good mimic
Historian and author Sir Anthony Seldon says: "A defining characteristic is that she doesn't take herself too seriously. It's significantly contributed to the success of her reign."
He says the Queen has none of the "self-obsession" that he calls the "disease of the age".
"There is a lack of pomposity, a certain irreverence," he says. "She's able to laugh off misfortune and keep going."
In private, the Queen is said to be a very good mimic, according to Lacey, a historical consultant on Netflix series The Crown.
She is said to do a particularly good impression of the former Russian leader Boris Yeltsin, says Karen Dolby, author of the Wicked Wit of Queen Elizabeth II.
And she imitates other politicians, clerics and TV characters.
Lacey describes the Queen's humour as often "self-deprecating and mildly making fun of herself".
He gives the example of a politician who had the embarrassment of their mobile phone going off during a private conversation with the Queen.
After the phone was switched off, the Queen said: "I hope it wasn't someone important."
Queen Elizabeth II accepts flowers from children after emerging from Wellington Cathedral, 24 February 2002, where she unveiled a consecration stone as part of her golden jubilee tour. Photo: TORSTEN BLACKWOOD / AFP
Dry wit
Dolby particularly likes the story of the Queen accidentally meeting some American tourists during a rainy walk with a protection officer near her home at Balmoral.
Not recognising the wrapped-up figure, the tourists asked if she had ever met the Queen.
"No, but he has," she replied, pointing to the protection officer beside her.
On another private trip, shopping in Norfolk, a shop assistant told her: "You look just like the Queen."
To which the Queen is said to have replied: "How reassuring."
There are different versions of these stories - but they all share a dry, understated quality and something of a cryptic edge.
Photo: AFP
Who dares, Windsor
Humour is also a useful way of breaking the ice and defusing tension when people are nervous around her.
"She's quick to see when people are not at ease," Sir Anthony says.
"The ability to be entertained and to see the funny side of life helps to keep her in contact with people."
The Queen has met many comedians, including Tommy Cooper, who Ms Dolby recounts once asked the monarch if she liked football.
When she admitted to not being particularly interested, he replied: "In that case, can I have your FA Cup final tickets?"
In terms of TV comedy preferences, the Kumars at No. 42 is said to have been a royal favourite.
Dad's Army, Last of the Summer Wine and the late radio broadcaster Sir Terry Wogan have also been mentioned, choices as comfortable as an old cardigan.
Queen Elizabeth II looking at Queen Victoria's Autograph fan, alongside a display of memorabilia from her Golden and Platinum Jubilees, in the Oak Room at Windsor Castle, west of London in January 2022. Photo: Steve Parsons / Pool / AFP
Shared relief
The Queen has spent a life under scrutiny, the constant focus of attention at high-profile ceremonies.
In such stressful situations laughter is a hugely important response, according to Audrey Tang, of the British Psychological Society.
"It's that gesture of shared relief," she says.
It makes people feel physically better to laugh and release tension, says the psychologist.
It is also a "bonding experience" and the Queen and Prince Philip were said to have shared a great ability to laugh together.
But it can get complicated.
Laughing privately after an event is fine - but everyone must have suffered that terrible feeling of a fit of the giggles at the wrong time.
Such "incongruous emotions" can be a natural and involuntary response to feeling overwhelmed or wanting to relieve the stress of a moment, Dr Tang says.
Dolby describes when the Queen seemed to be fighting the giggles at a formal signing ceremony, after Canadian prime minister Jean Chretien snapped off the top of his pen and then audibly swore.
"She likes the absurd - and when things go wrong, she's more likely to be amused than annoyed," Sir Anthony says.
Photographer Chris Young captured the Queen dissolving into giggles when a swarm of bees disrupted a military review at Windsor Castle, in 2003.
"I recognised that it was a human moment," Mr Young said.
"She was giggling like a little girl."
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall have also been filmed fighting a losing battle with the giggles, at a throat-singing performance in Canada.
In her 1991 Christmas message, the Queen gave her own thoughts.
"Let us not take ourselves too seriously," she said.
"None of us has a monopoly on wisdom."
- BBC
