This is What’s Trending Today:
When China’s president visited Britain last year, newspapers were filled with predictions of a “golden era” for relations between the two countries.
Leaders from both sides talked of a bright future as President Xi Jinping and British Prime Minister David Cameron had drinks at a pub.
The Chinese delegation visited science, engineering and pop culture sites around London. Everyone had a happy face.
But something else apparently happened during the visit.
Video recorded on Tuesday during a party at Buckingham Palace tells a different story. The video shows Britain’s Queen Elizabeth calling Chinese officials “very rude to the ambassador.”
A video crew records all of Queen Elizabeth’s official events. The recordings are then shared with news agencies.
When people looked at the video, they heard an exchange between the Queen and Lucy D’Orsi, a police commander.
D’Orsi planned security during the Chinese president’s state visit.
D’Orsi is presented to the Queen by The Lord Chamberlain, who is the top officer responsible for Britain’s royal family. He tells the Queen D’Orsi was the commander during the Chinese visit.
The Queen responded, “Oh, bad luck.”
The Lord Chamberlain said the police commander “was seriously, seriously undermined by the Chinese, but she managed to hold her own and remain in command.”
D’Orsi called her experience during the state visit, “quite a testing time for me.” She said the delegation “walked out” on both her, and Ambassador Barbara Woodward.
The Queen called the behavior both “rude” and “extraordinary.”
Queen Elizabeth's comments were repeated on social media. They were unusual because the 90-year-old ruler almost never comments publicly on political issues.
When asked for clarification about what happened last year, both British and Chinese officials said the visit had been successful.
And that’s What’s Trending Today.
I’m Ashley Thompson.
Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.
What do you think of the video showing the Queen and the police commander? We want to know. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.
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Words in This Story
undermine – v. to make (someone or something) weaker or less effective usually in a secret or gradual way
rude – adj. not having or showing concern or respect for the rights and feelings of other people : not polite
era – n. period
pub – n. a building where alcoholic drinks and often food are served
