Former guardsman reveals how he ‘nearly SHOT the Queen’ as she went for a late night stroll around Buckingham Palace
The Monarch was said to have told the soldier jokingly: "Next time I'll ring through beforehand so you don't have to shoot me"
THE Queen was nearly SHOT accidentally by her former guardsman when she went for a late night walk in the palace grounds.
An unnamed soldier revealed how he nearly pulled the trigger when he spotted an unknown figure in the dark at Buckingham Palace at 3am.
The Times diary column reported: "Thinking that he had come across an intruder, he shouted: 'Who's that?' To his surprise it was the Queen.
"'Bloody hell, Your Majesty, I nearly shot you', he blurted out."
The Queen, who apparently likes to go for a stroll when she cannot sleep, was said to have responded: "That's quite all right. Next time I'll ring through beforehand so you don't have to shoot me."
Buckingham Palace declined to comment.
The Monarch has presented an award to a trusted aide as she continues to recover from a heavy cold, which forced her to miss church on Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Her Majesty pulled out from the annual event at St Mary Magdalene, with Buckingham Palace confirming she is too ill to attend.
The world’s longest serving Monarch was not seen for more than a fortnight due to her ill-health.
After the festive period, The Queen usually stays in Sandringham until after the anniversary of her accession to the throne - this year on February 6 which will be her 65th anniversary.
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