The Queen's Quiet Curiosity: When Majesty Met Meg the Border Collie
In an age when the gulf between the Palace and the public grows ever wider, it is heartening to be reminded that our late Queen possessed a common touch that no amount of ceremony could obscure. Matt Baker, the former Countryfile presenter, has revealed a charming detail from his encounters with Her late Majesty that speaks volumes about her character, and indeed about the British love of animals that binds us all.
The 48-year-old, who is launching a new podcast, Matt Baker's Petcast, has recalled how the Queen's attention was immediately captured not by matters of state, but by the humble presence of Meg, the Blue Peter dog, and the surprisingly domestic detail of where that beloved collie laid her head at night.
What did the Queen ask Matt Baker about his dog Meg?
Speaking about the late monarch's visit to the Blue Peter studio, Mr Baker described how Her Majesty made a direct line for the programme's famous pets. The Queen was, he said,