Rare Video of the Queen Dancing With Diana and Charles Had Everyone Feeling the Same Way
(L) Queen Elizabeth with Princess Diana and Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace in 1981; (R) Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip dancing in Malta.
A rare video of Queen Elizabeth II dancing at the Ghillies Ball at Balmoral Castle has resurfaced, leaving royal fans reminiscing about 'happier times.' As per the Daily Mail, the footage, believed to be from 1991, was shared by a royal fan on Instagram. Originally filmed for a BBC documentary commemorating the Queen’s 40th Jubilee, it featured the late monarch dancing merrily alongside other senior royals, including Prince Charles, Prince Andrew, and Princess Diana.
The Ghillies Ball was an annual event the Queen hosted at Balmoral Castle for her family, neighbors, and staff as a way to say thank them before she returned home to London in the Fall. The tradition dates back to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, who first hosted it in 1852. Queen Mother Mary was also known to have particularly loved the event.
According to Express, although the event was typically private, the BBC was granted access given the milestone year. The footage began with the Queen dressed in a blue gown with a red tartan sash and tiara, playfully wagging her finger at Prince Philip before taking his hands and spinning with him in a traditional Scottish dance. The video then shows Princess Diana, wearing a cream gown with puffed sleeves, laughing as she danced with guests.
Prince Andrew is also seen dancing with the Queen before the royal family forms a circle around her. As the Queen twirls in the center, Princess Anne joins in, and Prince Charles takes his turn in the middle, dancing with both his grandmother and mother. Further in the footage, Princess Anne and Prince Andrew link arms and twirl in an energetic dance, much to the Queen’s delight who is seen smiling and extending her arms toward them as they spin.
The post quickly gained traction among royal watchers who appreciated the rare glimpse into the Queen’s lighter moments. Comments poured as fans expressed their excitement. A commentator penned, “I love this!! To see the queen dancing and smiling at her husband and to see Anne looking like she's relaxed and having a wonderful time is so rare and delightful!!” Another joked, “Wow I thought Andrew and Anne would take each other out at the end lol.” In a similar vein, one noted, “Thanks for sharing this beautiful video! Love it.” Meanwhile, a netizen gushed about the Queen’s mother. They remarked, “Love how the Queen Mum was still dancing at the age of 90.”
Princess Elizabeth dancing with her husband at a square dance held in their honor in Ottawa in 1951.
The Queen’s love for dancing extended beyond Balmoral. In 2023, a viral TikTok video showcased clips of the monarch dancing at various formal events from the 1950s to the 1990s. As per Newsweek, set to ABBA’s hit Dancing Queen—a song reportedly among her favorites—the video featured a recollection by Elton John of a time when he danced with the Queen at Prince Andrew’s 21st birthday party. John described how the Queen, still holding her handbag, moved gracefully across the dance floor while Bill Haley’s Rock Around the Clock played in the background.