It was one of those unavoidably surreal
BBC presenters Julian Worricker and Sophie Long were delivering the news from one side of a glass-screen studio when a small figure in a turquoise coat loomed into view on the newsroom behind them.
The Queen was shown surrounded and all but mobbed by dozens of staff, apparently ignoring instructions to remain in their seats as the monarch toured the building.
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Newsflash: Presenters Julian Worricker and Sophie Long turn round to find the Queen has turned up during one their bulletins
Caught unawares: The newsreaders appeared a little flustered as their celebrity guest appeared in the background
Earlier she had sat motionless as she listened to a special performance in the ‘Live Lounge’. Just for a moment, she seemed somewhat alone.
Pensive: The Queen on a visit to the BBC yesterday, as Prince Philip underwent abdominal surgery
The cameras fleetingly caught her looking reflective, the briefest of expressions to confirm there was a great deal on the Queen’s mind yesterday.
In different circumstances the Duke of Edinburgh would have been at her side for this, one of hundreds of engagements they carry out together throughout a busy working year.
But yesterday – not for the first time – she found herself unexpectedly on a solo mission to maintain business as usual .
The Queen is known to be a fan of classical music but she was treated to a rendition of David Bowie’s ‘Heroes’ – which became a theme song for the Olympics – by Irish band The Script.
At the end she chatted briefly to Script lead singer and Voice host Danny O’Donoghue and when she learnt he was playing the Glastonbury festival, joked about the mud.
She said: ‘Glastonbury, the place you get covered in mud? The singer replied with a laugh: ‘You’ve got to bring good wellies.’
The Queen was at the BBC’s new £1billion Broadcasting House headquarters on the fringes of the West End, a tour that had been on each of their diaries for months. A thousand yards away, the Duke was preparing to go under anaesthetic for an operation at The London Clinic.
For each of these two most senior royals, at a time when they are gently being advised to pull back from the most arduous engagements they undertake, more lone appearances such as this could easily be a taste of the future.
He will not be alongside her for two key events next week, Beating Retreat, and Trooping the Colour.
Guided tour: The Queen visited the BBC to officially open the new £1 billion studios in Portland Place, central London
Joining in: Radio 4 presenters Sian Williams (left) and James Naughtie sit alongside the Queen
Speech: Speaking on Radio 4 and the World Service she said how she had been to the original Broadcasting House with her parents before the war and then later before her Coronation, with Prince Philip
Happy: The Queen looked relaxed as Buckingham Palace said Prince Philip is 'progressing satisfactorily' after his operation
Not that you would otherwise have detected any sign of easing off yesterday, despite the last-minute logistical difficulties of turning a two-person tour into one.
Prince Philip (‘Do I look bloody ill?’, as he angrily once put it) might not have been cracking as many jokes as he had done at a Palace garden party some 24 hours earlier, but even from his hospital bed, it is safe to assume he would have wondered what all the fuss was about.
The Queen, meanwhile, maintained her usual calm, although she did have to unveil a yet-to-be corrected plaque that declared she was accompanied by Prince Philip.
Showstopper: Presenters on BBC Radio 4 do their best to maintain their cool despite their star guest
Drawing a crowd: The Queen maintained her usual calm as her appearance caused quite a stir at the BBC
On set: Her Majesty looking pleased as she walks past the Tardis during her tour
Stoic: The Queen remained utterly composed, despite not having Prince Philip by her side
Queen of the screen: Actress Jenny Agutter introduces herself to Her Majesty in front of a huge mural of Morecambe and Wise
Dutiful: Newsreader Huw Edwards bows as he shakes Her Majesty's hand
Greetings: Grinning Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw makes his introduction
Then she had to fend off a question from fearless veteran broadcaster John Humphrys, apparently the only BBC soul bold enough to ask how her husband was. ‘I have no idea,’ she said, looking slightly displeased. ‘He’s only just gone in.’
Her Majesty was escorted around the recently revamped building on a day when she and the Duke were making headlines around the world. ‘Is that me?’ she enquired, watching herself on the news screens.
All smiles: The presenters turned around and laughed when they realised Britain's monarch was standing behind them in the studio
Chat: She spoke to lead singer Danny O'Donoghue of The Script, and they briefly discussed Glastonbury, with her Majesty saying he should be careful of the mud
Royal performance: The Script played a cover of David Bowie's track 'Heroes' which became a theme song for the Olympics
Reflection: Only on once occasion did the Queen look to have something on her mind as she sat in the BBC's Live Lounge
Famous fan: The Queen is known to be a fan of classical music but appeared to be listening intently to The Script
Stars: Strictly Come Dancing presenter Tess Daley was joined by Doctor Who actress Jenna-Louise Coleman also came to Portland Place in Central London to see Her Majesty
Brave: The Queen still managed to smile despite being forced to visit BBC Broadcasting House without her beloved husband Prince Philip, who is in hospital nearby
She seemed unimpressed by the modern music (although she did volunteer later she was a big fan of EastEnders).
Two more familiar icons of entertainment – Sir Bruce Forsyth and a Dalek – were among those who paid their respects. Brucie said afterwards it was ‘a great shame’ the Duke could not attend the opening.
Her encounter with Humphrys came before the Today Programme stalwart presented her with a special edition digital radio.
He wished her many happy hours of listening to the radio, only to be told rather waspishly: ‘Well I don’t get a lot of (time)...to listen to the radio.’
She was later shown an original television camera used during the Coronation broadcast, and was introduced to Sylvia Peters, the BBC announcer who introduced the coverage back in 1953.
Miss Peters spoke to her about how people’s voices tend to get lower over the years. ‘I hadn’t noticed that,’ said the Queen, adding: ‘Maybe one’s been getting deaf.’
Aside from her reflective moment, the Queen looked relaxed and at ease, appearing to enjoy meeting famous faces from television and radio. Hundreds of BBC staff lined the approach to the new building yesterday, many waving Union Jacks.
Meet and greet: Sir Bruce Forsyth and his wife, former Miss World Wilnelia Merced, as well as veteran broadcaster David Dimbleby also met the Queen
Nice to meet you: The Queen says hello to Sir Bruce Forsyth with Dvid Dimbleby, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman
Scores of office workers and shoppers also paused to watch the Queen arrive and depart, following the BBC journalists’ lead to take souvenir snapshots on their mobile phone cameras.
Outside in the crowd, Iris McIntosh carried a ‘Get Well Soon’ card she planned to deliver to the clinic afterwards. ‘I’ve always liked the Duke,’ the 66-year-old charity worker said. ‘Of all the older royals, he seems to be the most down to earth.’
For all the proud history of Broadcasting House, possibly one of the most familiar addresses in the land, the Queen was still able to put it all into context. She was already six when the building was opened in 1932. She first visited it in 1939, when she was still princess Elizabeth, accompanying her father King George VI, and subsequently made four more visits, not including this one.
In a live broadcast yesterday she said it was ‘a great pleasure’ to come again, adding: ‘I hope this new building will serve you well in the future.’
Guest of honour: The Queen was already six when Broadcasting House first opened in 1932
Royal welcome: Lord Patten, chairman of the BBC Trust (centre) and the BBC's new director general Tony Hall are ecstatic to meet Her Majesty on the red carpet
Royal arrival: Crowds turned out to greet Her Majesty as she arrived at Broadcasting House, five minutes away from where Prince Philip is in hospital
Pleased to see her: Flag-waving crowds turned out to wish Her Majesty well as she came to visit the BBC's £1bn home
Goodbye: Her Majesty smiles and waves to the crowds outside Broadcasting House as she heads back to the Palace
Together: Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip arrive to attend a garden party yesterday at the Palace
Guards: Police stand outside The London Clinic this morning, where Prince Philip has been brought for an operation
All smiles: The Queen presents the Duke with New Zealand's highest honour, the Order of New Zealand, in the presence of Sir Lockwood Smith, High Commissioner for New Zealand, at Buckingham Palace yesterday
Earlier this week: Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh attended a service at Westminster Abbey in central London on Tuesday to mark the 60th anniversary of the Queen's coronation
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