Beyond the Rivalry: The Surprising Bond Between Elizabeth II and Margaret Thatcher

ROYAL ROMP: Did Queen Elizabeth and Margaret Thatcher Have a Secret Feud?

The headlines screamed it loud and clear: Margaret Thatcher, the Iron Lady of British politics, and Queen Elizabeth II were at odds with each other! But was this claim just a load of hooey or was there some truth to it?

For over 11 years, from 1979 to 1990, Thatcher and the Queen had their weekly audiences. You'd think that would be enough to ensure a harmonious relationship between these two powerful women. After all, they were both strong-willed and intelligent, with a shared experience of growing up during World War II.

But rumors swirled that beneath the surface, tensions simmered. The Queen was said to be dismayed by Thatcher's refusal to impose sanctions on apartheid South Africa, fearing it would split the Commonwealth. It seemed like an insurmountable hurdle for these two supposedly united forces.

Fast-forward to 1986, when the press went wild with stories of a strained relationship between the monarch and her PM. The rift was even dramatized in Netflix's hit series "The Crown"!

But wait! Enter royal insider Gyles Brandreth, who claims that this whole "feud" narrative is pure bunk! According to him, Thatcher herself called it "a lot of nonsense," while the Queen described her as "simply marvellous."

Brandreth, a respected royal author and broadcaster, revealed in his biography "Elizabeth: An Intimate Portrait" that despite policy differences – with the Queen being a small-c conservative compared to Thatcher's more right-wing views – there was no evidence to suggest Elizabeth actively disliked Margaret.

In fact, the Queen showed considerable respect for the first female PM during her long tenure. She dined at No. 10 Downing Street in 1985, appointed Thatcher the Order of Merit within a fortnight of her resignation in 1990, and honored her with the Order of the Garter five years later.

The Queen even attended both Thatcher's 70th and 80th birthday celebrations – an honor reserved for only the most special occasions. And when Margaret passed away in 2013, Elizabeth II was present at her funeral, a rare tribute for anyone outside the royal family (except, of course, Winston Churchill).

But don't get it twisted; this doesn't mean there weren't moments when these two powerful women clashed. Paul Burrell, former royal butler, revealed that during a picnic, the Queen started washing up in front of Thatcher and the PM insisted she stop – leading to a compromise where Elizabeth would wash and Margaret would dry.

And then there was the time at Balmoral Castle when Susannah Constantine claimed Thatcher "booted the Queen out" of the way to make tea for herself. It seems these two strong-willed women sometimes had differing opinions on how things should be done!

Despite their occasional disagreements, it's clear that both Thatcher and the Queen held each other in high esteem. As Brandreth notes, Thatcher never failed to show her respect for the monarch.

In fact, during their weekly meetings at Windsor Castle, Thatcher would arrive early – so early that she'd even pull over on the outskirts of town with her driver! This punctuality was just one sign of her deep respect for the Queen's time and authority.

So what really went down between these two powerful women? Were there indeed tensions simmering beneath the surface, or were the rumors just a product of tabloid sensationalism?

One thing is certain: Margaret Thatcher and Queen Elizabeth II will always be remembered as two of the most remarkable women in British history – each leaving an indelible mark on their respective domains.