Samantha Cohen, a former aide of the late Queen Elizabeth II, shared insights into her time working for the monarch in an interview with The Herald Sun. She revealed that the Queen enjoyed palace mishaps as they “spiced her life up”, showing her sense of humor when things went wrong at royal events. Cohen worked for the Queen for 17 years, starting as press secretary and then assistant private secretary. She described the Queen as having no ego and being comfortable in herself, highlighting the happy times they shared during her tenure.
Cohen spoke fondly of her experiences accompanying the Queen on two tours to Australia, in 2002 and 2011. She worked closely with the Queen for nearly a decade, having her own bedroom at Windsor Castle. The close relationship she shared with the Queen allowed her to engage in conversations with her regularly and be a part of special occasions like family gatherings at Balmoral and Christmas at Sandringham. Reflecting on her time working for the late Queen, Cohen expressed how much she valued the job, stating that she loved every moment of being her assistant private secretary.
In addition to her role with the Queen, Cohen also worked as the private secretary for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018. However, she resigned from the position in 2019, describing the job as similar to “working with teenagers” in a book by former Times royal correspondent Valentine Low. Cohen did not comment on the claims made in the book, but it was reported that she was among 10 aides interviewed by the palace following a bullying complaint raised by the couple’s communications secretary. The Duchess of Sussex’s legal team denied the bullying allegation.
During her time working with the late Queen, Cohen shared that she was nicknamed “Samantha Panther” for her no-nonsense work attitude. She also highlighted the Queen’s enthusiasm for embracing new initiatives, including spearheading the monarchy’s presence on social media. When shown a draft version of the royal family’s YouTube account, the Queen embraced the idea, showcasing her willingness to adapt to new technologies. Cohen revealed that the Queen’s YouTube channel was launched before those of other institutions like the Vatican and White House, emphasizing her forward-thinking approach.
As a former journalist from Brisbane, Australia, Cohen embarked on a successful career that led her to work closely with the royal family for nearly two decades. Her insights into the late Queen Elizabeth II’s life shed light on the personal and professional relationship they shared, highlighting the Queen’s sense of humor and adaptability when things didn’t go as planned. Despite leaving her royal duties, Cohen’s time with the Queen remains a cherished memory, and she continues to reflect on the special moments they shared during her tenure as an aide to the monarch.
