Jono, Ben & Megan - The Podcast - FULL: Queen Elizabeth II Tribute Show

Episode Date: September 8, 2022

This morning on the Jono and Ben show we found out the devastating news of Queen Elizabeth II passing away. This podcast includes the likes of Clarke Gayford, Gavin Grey and many others who have had encounters with Her Majesty.   RIP.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to a bonus podcast from Jono and Ben on the hits. Kia ora, welcome to the podcast. 9th of September, very sad day, the world is in mourning today as the Queen has passed away. It'll be a day, you know, a day that I think we'll all remember. You know, where were we when we found out the news that sadly Queen Elizabeth had passed away? As we reflect, you know, the show this morning, the whole show is based around people that have met them, people that have met the Queen, people that are in the UK right now. And just, you know, a reflection on an incredible life. But yeah. If you're not a royalist or a fan of the royals, then this might not be the podcast.

This is not the podcast. It might not be the show for you. No, but it was, yeah. I've struggled to get my head around it all morning today, you know, because you knew it was going to happen. But it's still a bit of a shock that she's actually no longer around. Well, yeah, it feels like it was a quick decline from yesterday. She was swearing in the new British PM. And obviously things took a turn for the worse over the last 24 hours.

But you never know what's been going on behind the scenes. No, you're right. And what they release to the public. And it felt like for a while, sadly, she hadn't been in the best of health, you know, pulling out of some royal engagements from time to time. But, yeah, then all of a sudden this happened. And it's, yeah, I guess we reflect on it. We try and make sense of it all this morning. There are some amazing, amazing stories of Kiwis that have met the Queen.

Worked for her. Yeah. We talked to her barista, James. I know, who wasn't even the barista. Like he had never really made a coffee in his life, ended up making coffee for the Queen. I mean, that's a credible story. Another guy who met the Queen when he was wearing jandals

and ended up, like, talking to her, having a photo with her in Buckingham Palace with jandals on. I mean, these are some of the incredible stories that you'll hear as we reflect on an incredible life today on the podcast. Jono and Ben on the hits. You've just woken up, very sad news this morning. Queen Elizabeth II has passed away in Scotland in Balmoral at the age of 96.

Her rule over the monarchy, seven decades. Just, yeah, just amazing service. Yeah, we're going to call it a talk to Gavin Gray, our UK correspondent next. I always call him our UK correspondent. He's not on the payroll. He just does it out of the goodness of his heart. And Sam Worthington, our newsreader, welcome to the studio. Have you got any news to update us on the Queen?

Morena. Just that some of her family members are on their way there now. At the moment, Prince Charles, Prince William and Camilla are there by her side. Or they were by her side earlier, yeah. It feels like maybe this has been going on for the last couple of weeks behind the scenes maybe. And what they released publicly might be a bit different to the timeline that has actually been happening.

Well, yeah, there was a photo of her meeting the new UK Prime Minister a few days ago, right? And everyone sort of said maybe she wasn't looking as well as she had done in the past. But even though you knew this day was coming, it still feels like such a big shock that it's actually just happened. It's here and it's just, yeah. What does it mean today?

What are we doing here in Aotearoa? I've just seen that we'll be lowering all our flags to half mast out of respect. But it's all kind of just coming through because it's just happened. The Prime Minister has just released a lovely lengthy statement as well saying about offering her sympathy

and also reflecting on the times that she has met the Queen as well. Yeah, so everyone I guess just coming to terms with what actually it means in New Zealand and also what it means in the UK, which we'll find out next. John Owen Ben on the hits. Queen Elizabeth, the world's longest-reigning monarch,

sadly passed away at the age of 96. It's just come through this morning, and we're crossing to our UK correspondent, Gavin Gray, from the UK. A very sad day, Gavin. It is indeed. It's a day I think so many people have been dreading, but here we are. Somebody who has been a constant throughout my life, through so many people's lives, probably almost all the listeners that we've got there. She's been a constant, whether or not they're monarchists or Republicans or don't really care.

This is somebody who's seen through some 15 prime ministers here in the UK, starting with Winston Churchill. And of course, just a few days ago, Liz Truss. She's also seen through, I think, its 14 U.S. presidents and, of course, was in charge of the Commonwealth. And, you know, as such, was a figure that I think so many people from around the world looked up to. And so many figures are now going to be paying, I'm sure, their wishes to the rest of the family who are gathered at Balmoral.

The Commonwealth has 2.5 billion people in 32 member states and 56 countries, as well as the 32 small states. And I think, frankly, we're going to see an outpouring now of tremendous grief for somebody that's been there just as an amazing sign of duty to us all. Well, as you say, the longest reigning British monarch, her rule spans seven decades, 96 years old. I mean, one heck of a service and one heck of a life she's had. Yep, yep. She said she was never going to give up or abdicate lots of people. I know other political commentators were saying, oh, I think she will because this can't go on,

not appearing at events or she's not very well and she must be tired. But I can assure you it was never even in her mind. It was a duty for life is how she saw it and for life it was going to be. Now, of course, tremendous privilege, of course, tremendous wealth. But behind all that, she effectively gave up having a private life, having any sort of a private life there and then. And I think that is an amazing tribute to her. We now, of course, have got her immediate children all around her at Balmoral. And now the big machinations of state, the funeral, lying in state, all sorts of things now happen as the country goes into a lengthy period of mourning.

It felt like she was one of those people that was just going to be around forever. You know, it's going to be hard to imagine life without her. And the other question I wanted to ask you, though, Gavin Gray, is what happens now? Like, is Charles King immediately? Well, effectively he is, but of course there will have to be a service that is probably going to be, first of all, a Remembrance Day service at London St Paul's Cathedral. The London Stock Exchange is probably going to close tomorrow and probably for a significant period of next week. It could be up to a 12-day period of national

mourning here in the UK. And during that mourning period, the new king will deliver an address to the nation once he's been sworn in. Prince Charles, of course, will effectively see what's called the Accession Council gathering to officially crown him at a black-tie event of hundreds of people. And then it's likely he'll go on a sort of tour of the UK to say, Look, this is me. Hello. I know you know me already, but now I am the king. And I think so. Therefore, you know, this whole process, which so long people have talked about what will happen, what is going to happen? Well, yes, it's still a bit of a shock, but it finally has happened. But Her Majesty, I think, would be perhaps the least to want anyone to start mourning massively about her. She's had an incredible life. She's given incredible service,

as we've said, and I think probably leaves the monarchy in a much stronger state in the last decade than it was in the 80s with the messy problems following the Diana divorce with Charles and then, of course, Diana's death. You know, it's been a turbulent period for her, and she saw that through and I think has left a monarchy that's pretty strong, although I think Prince Charles is going to have a very, very tough act to follow here. Jono and Ben, Friday morning. The Queen died peacefully in Balmoral, Scotland this afternoon. It's been reported from the UK. That's, of course, their time. A very, very sad day for the world right now. Man, what a life. You know, I would say to Gavin, Scotland this afternoon. It's been reported from the UK. That's of course their time.

Very sad day for the world right now. Man, what a life. You know, I would say to Gavin, it's amazing to, not amazing, but it's hard to think that she won't be around. She's just been there, constant. 1952 is when she first became Queen. I mean, that's over seven

decades. That's an incredible, incredible service. Yeah yeah like the amount of prime ministers i think she's sworn in being over 14 of them uh u.s presidents about 14 of 15 of them she has been there through everything all the drama the highs and lows of the family and as we said earlier even though you knew this day you know would sadly come um because that's what happens in life it still feels like a shock this morning waking up to the news. You're like, oh, my God, it just happened. And that's it.

But everyone's been in preparation, haven't they, for the last couple of years. But you're dead right. And just some stuff about her. She has led a life. Her wedding dress, she paid with ration coupons, Ben. Did she? From World War II. So after your own tight-ass heart, she did that.

She's owned over 30 Corgis in total. She loves Corgis, eh? Loves a Corgi. Yeah. Yeah, big fan of the Corgi. She doesn't need a license to drive. She didn't have to go down and do the scratchy tests like we all had to. She didn't?

No, didn't have to do a set of learners, didn't have a restrictor. She could just go and drive. Because you still see her driving, though,'d have shots of her on the estate and she'd be driving like a Range Rover or behind that she'd have the little, you know, sort of, what are they called, around the head? No, a little bandana. Yeah, you're so tight around the head. Yeah.

A little cute, she looked adorable in those. And she'd often be driving, still driving to this day, you know, it was awesome. But that seems like she should have a license. I'm no expert in road and safety, but you can't have anyone out there who hasn't got a driver's license. It's the queen. She can speak fluent French. Bonjour.

That's all I've got. So she's learned that language. More travel than any monarch before her. She's done 150 visits. Over 21,000 engagements she's been to. Well, actually, if you have met the Queen, she's been to New Zealand many times. Maybe you've been to the UK and you've met her before. We'd love to hear from you this morning.

0800 the hits, 4487 is our text number at any stage. We'd love to hear your thoughts. And now she's sat also for over 200 official portraits. My God. She must have been like, you know, when you head up to number 87 even, you'd be like, well, can you guys just take a photo and then just repaint the photo? But she sat patiently. I mean, so much of her life was service, you know,

like doing that, going to ceremonies, talking to people, you know. She wouldn't have been able to switch off from that. Oh, no. Her light banter game must have been. Yeah, yeah. Gee whiz, she must have had some good chat. Incredible. Over 21,000 engagements.

Jono and Ben on the hits. It is the hits, Jono and Ben. On a very sad day, the Queen at 96 years old has sadly passed away peacefully in Balmoral, Scotland. We're chatting to people throughout the morning, their reflections on the Queen and this big news. Kate Hawkesby, welcome. Thank you for having me. A very, very sad day, Kate. Oh, really sad.

Look, I saw the news when I got up at three this morning and I thought, first of all, unprecedented for Buckingham Palace to release statements like that sort of on the Queen's health. They tend not to say much about royals' health unless it's really bad news. And I thought, oh, this is really ominous. And sure enough, in the next couple of hours, as we watched it unfold, the BBC presented, well, first of all, BBC suspended programming. And then they changed into black and black ties. And it was part of the Operation London Bridge, the plans around if and when the Queen passes,

how it unfolds. So it looked like they were just waiting for the entire immediate family to get to Balmoral Castle before they could announce the incredibly, incredibly sad news. Now you're a big fan, personally, of the Royal Family and the Queen.

What do you think was the thing that we'll all remember her for? Look, I just think for most of us, she's the only Queen that really has been our only Queen. And she's 70 years on the throne. I mean, no one else will do that. It's a phenomenal accomplishment. And I mean, at 96, as of yesterday, still carrying out duties. I mean, so hard working. But she's just been the face of the royal family for all of us for so long. So I just think, and she's just so precious. I just feel, I mean, I'm a royalist, so, you know, I just feel it's just a desperately sad day. And I know

having lived in Britain, just the amount of grief and outpouring in the morning we're going to see unfold over the next 10 days is just going to be phenomenal. You've lived in the UK by the sounds of it. You've been there many times. Have you ever been close to where the Queen has been? We've been many times and we went over to cover both the royal weddings, William and Kate and Harry and Meghan. So London's our favourite city. So we've been, you know, we're there. In fact, I've got my sons are in Europe and a nephew Harry and Megan. So, and London's our favourite city. So we've been, you know, we're there.

In fact, I've got, my sons are in Europe and a nephew at the moment. I just texted them this morning. I was like, get to London, history. You'll never see anything like it again. Nobody marks history and events like this better than Britain. It will just be just an incredible thing to witness.

But just the depth of feeling for the royals, and just to be anywhere near. I mean, most tourists have been and stood outside the gates at Buckingham Palace, and we were down at Windsor Castle for Harry and Meghan's wedding. And it's just the majesty of it. When you're there and you see it for yourself in person, you just realise how important these people are to people in Britain.

Yep. Kate Hawkesby with us. What do you think, she has obviously dealt with so much during her reign, what do you think is the one standout, I hate to use the word scandal, but event that she's navigated her way through? Well, I mean, those of us with long memories will remember the death of Princess Diana. That was a terrible time for the Queen. That didn't go down well. She was regarded as being out of touch with the overwhelming mourning and grief of the people, in that she seemed quite removed at the time, was regarded as quite cold. It was a really difficult time, obviously, given everything that was going on with Charles and Diana. But since then, you

could probably say Prince Andrew has gazumped all that with his connections to Epstein and everything that's carried on for Prince Andrew and sort of being in disgrace, given that was her favourite son. That would have been devastating for her. And not to mention Harry and Meghan and all their interesting broadsides from the US, including the royal family. So she's been through a lot. And she's handled it all with style and grace.

Yeah. I mean, phenomenal woman, just so much dignity and integrity. And I think her hard work really speaks volumes. She just, you know, that kept calm and carry on. It's exactly what she did. She just kept going. She just kept showing up and just kept being there for people. And I think that's part of the shock and sadness this morning

is that she's gone. You know, it's just devastating. Yeah, well, because even though, as you say, she was 96 years old, 70 years on the throne, you knew this day sadly would come. I still feel like I'm in a bit of shock to the news. It's actually happened. This is, you know, it's very sad. Yeah, and especially happening so quickly.

I mean, we saw the pictures as of yesterday, you know, with Liz Truss, the new UK PM, and she was, you know, officiating her becoming the new Prime Minister. And she didn't look great, let's be honest. She was spooked in with a cane and she had bruises on her hands, but she didn't look terrible either. I thought she looked not bad. And obviously a rapid decline in health after that meeting,

immediate bed rest. And she clearly was more unwell than any of us could have realised. So I know, I agree, it is quite shocking. If you believe in a higher power, you would almost say that her swearing in, the latest Prime Minister was almost the universe wasn't it?

Yeah Maybe we could Is that a stretch? That's probably a stretch, I'm trying to get deep and meaningful I thought you were going to say something like heaven and joining Prince Philip her beloved husband or something like that but okay

I'll roll with that, I was just trying to find an angle about heaven and joining Prince Philip, her beloved husband, or something like that. But okay, yeah. I'll roll with that. I'll roll with that. I was just trying to find an angle. Hey, we're all rolling with the coverage this morning, Kate. Kate Hawksby, love your work. Thank you so much for your time this morning. Pleasure.

Hey, thanks, Kate. You're a champion, mate. No worries. Really appreciate your time. All good. See you later. Jono and Ben on the hits. The Queen has sadly passed away at the age of 96 overnight,

peacefully in Balmoral, Scotland. We want your reflections this morning, if you've met the Queen, or if you'd just like to say something about a remarkable lady. 4487 is our text number, 0800 the hits. Well, these times like these, you need a celebration of someone's life, don't you? And we had spoken to many people over the years who have actually met her, in particular this guy.

We've got Dave on the phone. Dave, how are you? Yeah, good, thank you. Good, thank you. Lovely to have you on the show this morning in Blenheim. We're just talking about have you met the Queen. Queen calls, and you have. Yeah, I have, man, yep.

A bit of a story. 2015, so I'm back in the Army now, but I've been a strength conditioning coach, sports scientist for many years. So I was working with Samo at the 2015 World Cup. Oh, wow. It's Samoan Language Week this week too. It is too.

It is. Talofa lava. Yeah, talofa lava. So you went to Buckingham Palace to meet the Queen? Or did she come out? Yeah, so what happened was we played our last game up in Newcastle. Unfortunately, we got knocked out playing Scotland. So because they flick you out of the World Cup pretty quickly.

You're done. Get out. Catch a bus home. I'll pretty literally go the next day. So next morning, we're about to leave. And my dad's a Geordie, so I was going to stay with the rallies up there. And then it was our World Cup liaison officer said, hey, there's a chance to meet the Queen tomorrow.

So it was like a Rugby World Cup hosting thing. A couple of players in management. I was going to be the only management in the country. What they said was, yourself, and I got to go down from Newcastle the next day on the train with Alassane Tuolangi. So me and him went down there VIP. Flash Hotel for the day, got kipped it up.

So what you do is you go and you're number ones. Those rugby fans know that the Samoan number ones is ifakanga, which is your formal lava lava, bändels, and an aloha shirt with your beads. You went into Buckingham Palace in your jandals? Yep.

Into Buckingham Palace, all the players got shifted out in one room, and then, because I was sort of Mr. No-Mates, because I was the last one there from Samo by myself, you know, oh, you've got South African there with pimped-out blazers and England and all blacks. I'm in my jandals. So I walked up the front of the room, and they had the Webb Ellis

up the top of the room where it was going to be the Queen, Prince Harry and Prince Charles and Prince Anne come in. So I walked up front of the room, I was having a look, saw the trophy, had a look, and there was this dude sort of standing at attention beside the trophy. Yeah. And being a bit of a military man himself, I sort of looked at him,

we just gave each other the eye. And there's some, you know, I don't know, you just know. Yeah. And then we got chit-chatting and I said, are you military? He was like, yeah, I'm on secondment to the palace. I said, well, I'm actually,

I'm an officer in New Zealand Army. So we chit-chatted. We got talking and next thing you know, he said to me, Dave, do you want to meet the Queen? I said, I'd love to meet the Queen. So he said to me, you go and stand over by that pillar, which was about 10 metres away. When the Queen comes in, she's going to speak. And then I'm going to lead her to the first person to talk.

And I'm going to bring her to you. I was about 10 metres away. And I thought, is he for real? And I thought, I don't know. See what happens. Anyway, I went and stood by my pillar. And then as the Queen, Prince Harry, Prince Dan, Prince Charles come into the room, everybody sort of gathered towards the front.

And then I stayed by my pillow. There was about, you know, five people deep in front of me. And then they talked, blah, blah, blah, blah. And then said their piece. Next minute, they go, oh, yeah, we're going to do, you know, walk around the room and do this man's word. he opened sort of the, you know, the barrier. As he walked the queen out, he's sort of chauffeuring the queen. All these people sort of walk up, and he's sort of like putting his hand

in front going, no, no, no, move back, please, and brought it straight to me. What? Wow. And that sort of, I imagine it's probably a brief encounter, but what did you get to say? What did you talk about? Well, because it was a Rugby World Cup meet and greet.

So we all had our name badges. I'm a Pālinga white boy from Tokerau. I work with Samoa. Get on with Islanders really well. So I had my name badge, you know, David Gassamoa. So she obviously put two and two together. But then she'd come up, started chatting, and she was like, Oh, Dave, the Samoan boys were those big, really boys.

And she was on to it. She knew all about it. She knew what a fitness trainer did. She understood rugby. We had a big chat. And then she said, oh, well, all the best. And you kept up the hard work and sort of moved on. And I was just sort of standing there thinking, mean ass.

Mean ass. I just met the queen of magandals. Yep. That is an incredible story, Dave. And then after that, sort of, yeah, we sort of got chauffeured in a big, one of those big flash black taxis back to the train station. And myself and Alassane Tuolangi back on the IP train and back up to Newcastle. That is incredible. What a day out.

It was awesome. Yeah, it was awesome. That is incredible. And did they give you food at Buckingham Palace? I imagine very small club sandwiches. Yeah, it was a sort of fingery food, the old hors d'oeuvres and things going around on Trace. And then what they also do is it's quite cool because of obviously security. Like as soon as you go through the gates,

because we all had VIP passes, but they get the old sticks out with mirrors on under the car and they checked us and you had to check your phones in and everything in the foyer. So pretty strict. Oh, you couldn't take it? It's pretty cool once you get in. You're not snapping a cheeky selfie or anything?

Nah, well, that's the funny thing. You're pretty cool once you get in You're not snapping a cheeky selfie or anything Nah well That's the funny thing They really warned us you must leave your phone I was like oh gutted okay fair enough And then as we get out there Alassane He's going to me hey look at my photos And I was like who saw how did you get those photos I just left my phone in my pocket

They went on the trusting policy And it never works Jono and Ben on the hits It and it never works. John Owen Behan on the hits. It is the hits. John Owen Behan, sadly the Queen. Queen Elizabeth II has passed away overnight at the age of 96 years old. Tremendous innings. We're getting reflections on 0800 the hits this morning.

Any stage you want to give us a call, 4487 is our text number as well. The closest I ever got to the Queen, I think I've told you before, came out a few years ago growing up in the Wairarapa. Ended up sort of taking a day off school that I probably shouldn't have taken a day off school. Going to Wellington with a mate. And then being down the streets of Wellington going, there's a lot of people around, there's roads cordoned off. What the heck is going on?

And then seeing some cars and police drive past. And then the queen waving from the window of a car i'm waving back i'm seeing the queen go past and she's watching you wagging in real time she's waving at an illegal student hundreds of people around and then i got home that evening and my mum was watching the news going oh the queen was in wellington today and i couldn't go yeah i know because i were you on the footage well no thank me that would have been terrifying seconds. But that was, you know, that was as close as I've got to a story with the Queen.

But, yeah, I got to see her through a car window. Yeah, as I was – As you were bunking. I felt terrible about the fact that I was wagging school, but I was wagging school. Mate, you're in your 40s now. Don't feel terrible. You can get over that now. A lot of people phoning through this morning with their memories of the Queen.

And Christopher Luxon joins us from the National Party. Welcome. Good morning, guys. How are you? We're doing all right. A little bit of a shock this morning, even though we've been saying this morning, even though you knew this day would come with the Queen, it still feels like a shock, just because she's been around all our lives, you know, and just been on the throne for over 70 years.

Yeah, it's an incredible, incredible thing when it actually happened, isn't it? I mean, you knew it had to happen at some point, but you did right. I mean, she's been such a constant presence in everyone's life and for so long. So, no, it's an incredible legacy, incredible story of public service and just the amount of time that she was on the throne and just the things that she saw over history. It's just phenomenal and just held in such great respect by everybody. You were in the UK earlier this year, meeting with officials.

Was there talk about what was going to happen post her death? No, no, there was none of that conversation. But I just think, and I never had a chance, obviously, to meet her, but I know a few people who did, and they just said that she made them all feel very welcome, was very down-to-earth, very reassuring, and they were very nervous, but really enjoyed meeting her, and she was very generous with her time. But I just think it's incredible.

Seven decades, just a very long period of time. When you think about it, she had, I think it was, 15 prime ministers from Winston Churchill right through to Liz Truss, and that's just an incredible amount of history just when you think about post-war or through the war, post-World War I through the war, she had intended to be Queen, and obviously the abdication changed that course of her life. And you just think about going through the Cold War,

UK's entry in and out of the European Union, just a lot of history that she's presided over. Not to put you on the spot here, Christopher Luxon, but do you know what happens now within New Zealand? Like, obviously, you're in Parliament. Is there any things... What happens over the next few days here in New Zealand? Well, we're in recess week this week,

so we'll be back in Parliament next week. But obviously, there'll be a chance for us to acknowledge the huge contribution she's made to New Zealand and she's obviously such an extraordinary person in terms of just to wake up each day very focused on your mission to serve

and to do public service for 17 years plus is a pretty phenomenal record, so that'll be a chance for us to acknowledge her in Parliament formally. Yeah, remarkable, remarkable lady, a very sad day for the world, it is the hits, you've got Jono and Ben Jono and Ben

on the hits The world is in mourning, Queen Elizabeth II has passed away, she passed away peacefully in Balmoral in Scotland her family by her side 70 years she'd been on the throne, just an amazing amazing service to the Commonwealth at 1952 she first became Queen she passed away at the age of 96

and all the conversations we've had so far this morning with people who've met her Gavin Gray who we'll catch up with again very shortly our Royal Correspondent he was just like her dedication to the role was never seen before and probably will never be seen again. Yeah, well, you're right then, you know, because Charles is now king of the Commonwealth. Yeah, he's now the new leader. But I mean, no disrespect to Charles, he's probably not going to go 70 years. Well, no, yeah.

And at any stage, you know, the Queen could have said, hey, I've done a lot of service. I've done 50 years. It's now your time. But you're right. She threw to 70 years. So over seven decades, so many presents, promises. She could have cashed in her KiwiSaver, got the gold card many times.

But she went right to the end, which is an absolute tribute to her and her commitment to the job as well. Looking on the news this morning, just, you know, thousands of people outside Buckingham Palace are paying their respects to the Queen today. We'll find out very shortly what it means for the UK when we talk to Gavin Gray. And you've got a whole bunch of people who have actually met her, spent time with her. A young Kiwi man has met her on three different occasions and he remembered, she remembered him from all of those occasions. We'll talk to Brad Olsen in about 20 minutes. But Clark

Gayford, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's partner, he had the opportunity to be in a room, just the Queen, Jacinda and him. No one else. Oh, no, that's incredible. We spoke to him about it about six months ago, and this is what it was like to be sitting, having a cup of tea with the Queen. You hung out with the Queen. Is that right? That was just another one of those moments where, you know where you grow up in Gisborne on a small farm

right on the back blocks, and then you go, wow, sitting in a room with the Queen. It was just the three of you, wasn't it? Just the three of us. Plus one, tags along. Awkwardly. Awkwardly.

Can I come? You go in and there's quite a few people there. There's about three photographers, and you have a New Zealand press person as well, and a few other people. And so you do your meet and greet, and then she quite a few people there. There's about three photographers, and you have a New Zealand press person as well, and a few other people. And so you do your meet and greet, and then she makes a little gesture, and everyone leaves.

Everyone leaves the room. Oh, really? And they shut the door behind you, and you go, wow. And then she goes, would you like a seat on the couch? And you go, okay. Yep, it's great.

What's your light banter like with the Queen? I mean, what did you have to lead with? Oh, I chatted about my nana. You're like, oh, geez, my nana, big fan. Big fan of you. She was very engaged in New Zealand affairs, and she knew details about things that really, really surprised me. What?

That's incredible, eh? Yeah. Just spending out time in a room just with you and the Queen and someone else. That's incredible. Gavin Gray, UK royalent, joins us next. Again, he's spent a lot of time with the Queen. What will he remember her for very shortly? Jono and Ben on the hits.

Very sad morning it is this morning. The world waking up to the news that sadly Queen Elizabeth II passed away at the age of 96. 70 years, just as we said this morning, just an amazing service to the Commonwealth and her country being in charge. And a lot of change going to be happening in the UK as well.

Prince Charles, now King Charles III, officially as of this morning too. And Gavin Gray, who is joining us throughout the morning, our UK Royal Correspondent. What is going to happen over there, Gavin? Are businesses going to shut? Yeah, there's going to be massive coverage, of course, of it. Many of the TV channels, I think, will simply be playing tributes to Her Majesty for some time. I think regarding what happens next for businesses, well, I think it's being left pretty much up to them, actually. So I think some businesses will close as a mark of respect or will choose to close just for a day or something. And others, I think, will probably carry on as normal.

I mean, there are, you know, there are, I think, there is a greater understanding now that when the queen acceded to the throne, the whole country virtually shut down. I can't see that happening. I can see large sections of people, you know, not going to work. Businesses, yes, taking one or two days off. There may even be a sort of national holiday, as it were on the day charles accedes to the throne but we're gonna have to see over the next few days this has all been very very well worked out it was known as operation london bridge if her majesty died in uh uh london of course you know all the broadcasters uh me amongst them practicing what would happen for this terrible day but But it also became known as Operation Capricorn if Her Majesty died in Scotland.

And indeed she has, because it's quite a remote location. And obviously now they're going to want to bring Her Majesty and the family back down to London for that mourning period, for the funeral, for the body to lie in state. And also, I think, for people to be able to express their empathy at Buckingham Palace. As you said, we're plenty of people out there already, I'm afraid, in floods of tears with this news. You have followed her and the family

for a very long time. I dare say you've come into contact with her on many occasions. What will you remember her for? Sense of humour. Without a doubt. And that may seem odd, because it very rarely came out in public, really. Because when you think about it, we never really saw her talk about herself, did we? We saw the Queen's message, but of course that was written for her and by her, partially.

We've seen her at affairs of state, but you never know her opinion about anything um but when she was actually talking to people she really did have a very uh wash this little sort of sense of humor quite wicked she was very fun she enjoyed sometimes people's discomfort when events went wrong she used to quite enjoy that not in a nasty way but i think she and prince philip used to giggle away to themselves and then when they got in the car to roar with laughter because of course everywhere they went was fresh paint new buildings you know all sorts of things but when things went wrong and i do remember a couple occasions when they did where she was very very you could tell she was loving it um because i do think a sense of humor is probably something even really only the family fully got to understand properly now one conversation that will no doubt be had over the next couple of days,

Harry and Meghan, what's going to happen there? I know Harry had travelled to Balmoral. I saw reports of that this morning. That's correct. So, yes, Princess Charles, Edward, Andrew and Princess Anne, the Princess Royal were all there. Then Prince William and Prince Harry went up separately. Initially, there were reports that Meghan was going as well.

I'm slightly relieved, to be perfectly honest, that she hasn't, because Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William's wife, has not gone up there. And I think, by and large, this is for the direct family to negotiate. And I think, frankly, it would have been really awkward trying to make small talk while remembering the queen and not mention the opera interview, not mention the most happy times with Her Majesty, all the while knowing that, you know, is she filming any of this? Is she writing about it in the journal that's yet to be published? Is Prince Harry putting this in his book that's coming out soon? So, look, I really think it's going to be very difficult. Prince William and Prince Harry have not spoken for months, and yet they've spent the last couple of days living five six hundred meters apart in windsor great park so i think this is going to be very awkward but you know what they are a family

just like any other family and i don't know about yours but you know you do get these string relationships so perhaps we shouldn't be too surprised by all this every family's got their crap we always say it um well gavin gray listen thank you so much. No doubt a very busy few days coming up for you, and we do appreciate your time. No worries. Take care, guys. Jono and Ben on the hits. The Queen is sadly passing away overnight New Zealand time, peacefully in Balmoral in Scotland, 96 years old.

Remarkable innings, just, you know, and a remarkable service. And today we're reflecting on her life. And a while ago, a couple of years ago, we spoke to James Hardy, who is a Kiwi guy who ended up working as a barista for the Queen in Balmoral in Scotland. Yeah, I worked for the Queen. Actually, I was there when she celebrated,

I think it was her 90th birthday. Yeah, she slipped me a wee cupcake for her 90th, which was quite nice of her. But it was certainly an experience that day. Yeah, now you don't sound like anyone who should have worked for the Queen, which I love. A builder from Christchurch. Yeah, so how did you, just take us back to the beginning, the resume.

What did you say on your resume that got you a job with Her Majesty? Yeah, the resume was a little bit, oh, what can I say, glorified. Yeah. As I imagine a lot of CVs are, right? Words with the royals in Monaco. We'll try not to use the word fake again. That got me in a bit of strife last time. But we'll go with, yeah, glorified CV.

And sure enough, talked up the small skills I did have. And then, yeah, just landed the job. And so the role was what? What were you doing for the Queen? So I was making coffee at Balmoral Castle, which is their holiday residence. Never made a coffee before in my life, so...

That's where the glorification came in. Yeah, that's that. Training was provided, and before you know it, three weeks later, I was making a cappuccino for the girl. Oh, the girl. Well, that's good that Lisa gave you training, so your first cup of coffee wasn't just for the queen. Yeah, nah, yeah, it was, yeah, so it was testing times. I didn't know what she was going to expect when she had that first sip.

Does she like a chino? Is that her go-to, is it, or what is it? Yeah, cappuccino is what she likes. We sprinkle the chocolate on top. Yeah, she's a prettyino? Is that her go-to? What is it? Yeah, cappuccino is what she likes. We sprinkle the chocolate on top. Yeah, she's a pretty simple lady, though. Did you get to talk to them at all, you know, while you were working there?

Well, I probably got to talk to the Queen the most out of all the royals. I can remember just one day that I was real taken back. I went up to Cheddar Private Golf Course on the estate, and I went to go tee off at the 11th tee and looked to my left, and she was sitting about three metres away, just her and the corgi sitting there. And had a bit of a chat to her, and sure enough, I'm no golfer, and, yeah, teed it up, been a bit nervous and whatnot,

and, yeah, sure enough, that one went over the fence. Yeah, I was like, you're going to want to shank it into the queen. Because you see her driving around in her car. She's down to earth, humble. Yeah, she's, as I mentioned to you last time, she sort of just comes across as a normal human being. There was nothing sort of, I don't know, what's the word to use, posh sort of kind of about her.

Like she was a nice lady and just, yeah, down to earth and just got about her business like a normal person and such. John Owen Ben, on the hits. You're on the hits, John Owen Ben. 7.30 on New Zealand's Breakfast. Queen Elizabeth II. If you just woke up this morning, very sad news.

Britain's longest reigning monarch has died at the age of 96 peacefully overnight in Balmoral in Scotland. Press statement was sent out by the royal family earlier this morning, New Zealand time. King Charles III has now succeeded his mother as the monarch as well.

A lot of crowds gathering outside Buckingham Palace. Thousands of people. Yeah, I noticed. I see they put up a notice announcing the Queen's death has been posted outside the palace. A lot of people bringing along flowers. A lot of people understandably upset, very upset.

The few tears out there as well. Very sad morning. And Elizabeth Truss, new British Prime Minister, sworn in by the Queen just yesterday. Still carrying out royal duties right up until the end, which is very impressive.

Yeah, so I think the Queen is going to be in Balmoral until this evening and then we'll return to London tomorrow. As we talk to Gavin Gray, our UK reporter, I think about 12 is going to be in Balmoral until this evening, and then we'll return to London tomorrow. As we talk to Gavin Gray, our UK reporter, I think about 12 days of sort of ceremony and reflection and mourning throughout the UK. And Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is just about to do a live press conference

now to the nation to announce what's happening in New Zealand over the next couple of days. Now, I know it's time of mourning, but it's also a time of celebration when someone passes away oh what a life too i mean what an incredible life what a banger life far better life than you and me will ever leave mate 96 years old uh you know 70 years as being queen i mean it's incredible the things she's seen she's lived through the people she's met it's just an incredible life there were no ipads when she started no now there are ipads yeah i mean you're right.

The technology, everyone. I mean, the presidents, the prime ministers, the actors. She's seen it all. She's seen it all. The wars. Yeah. Crazy stuff when you think about it. But a lot of reflection going on.

A lot of people messaging 24487 their condolences. Denise, we spoke to a few months back, flew in the same plane as the Queen. But I have flown in an Air Force aircraft with her. I was working as part of the crew back in the early 2000s back when we had our Boeing 727 aircraft and we flew the Queen from Christchurch to Wellington in about 20 minutes flat. We just hooned it.

And anyway, we got to Wellington and when she got off the aircraft she turned around at the front door and she made eye contact with every single crew member and nodded her appreciation to us. Awesome, no words. Didn't say anything but I just did nod.

Thanks for hooning me here. Nice hooning. Why did you have to hoon? Well, because she was, she had certain appointments that she had to keep, obviously, and we had a very short time frame to get her there, so the guys put the pedal to the metal and we got her there on time. Oh, that's great. Nothing more Kiwi guys are going to have to hoon it.

We've got the queen. We'll have the hoon it, guys. The queen will understand that she did. I shall be hooned. Thanks for your call, Denise. Really appreciate it yeah that was denise we recorded that uh a few months ago there's an incredible story there's the stories we're getting through this morning i know a hundred the hits uh four four eight seven as we

all sort of come to terms with what the heck has been going on as we mentioned before i feel like you knew this day was coming but it's still a shock it's still a shock to kind of get your head around what the heck is happening. Yeah, I know. We certainly weren't prepared, Ben. From a radio point of view, which doesn't matter in any stretch of the imagination. But probably like everyone else, just going about it, heading into your weekend on a Friday, and then suddenly this news happens. Blindsided.

And you're just getting your head around what it means, what has happened, and reflecting on just an incredible, incredible life. Jono and Ben on the hits. Reflecting on just an incredible, incredible life. Reflecting on the amazing life, though, of the Queen, Queen Elizabeth, who sadly passed away overnight New Zealand time. And we're talking to New Zealanders with Royal Connections this morning. And Angela into Aroha runs a Royal Museum. Thanks so much for your time, Angela.

Good morning. It must be a tough morning for you, mate. It's a bit sad, yeah. Yeah, it's a very sad day. We've been saying this morning that even though you knew she was 96 and this day would come, it's still a shock to know the news that she's no longer here. Yeah, it is, certainly. You can hear the emotion in your voice.

Well, I've spent the morning crying so far. Oh, you poor thing. So you're a huge Royal fan, obviously. We all knew this day was coming, but did anything prepare you for it, Angela? Well, we only spoke about it last night, funnily enough. Not funny at all, really. When we were reflecting on the latest picture of her receiving the

new Prime Minister, her hand was so blue and it reminded me of when my mum died in 2011. She was 96. It sort of hit home, it's like losing my mum again. Oh, you poor thing. I'm so sorry. You grew up, you were born in England, you moved to New Zealand. When did your fascination with the royals really kick in? Because you run a museum dedicated to the royals. Really, yes. Our home is the Living Museum, and we've collected. I still have the beautiful cup glass that we were given at school

on the coronation, and that's in one of the many cabinets that we have. It all stems from my mother, really. And, jeez, you must have a lot of teaspoons. How many teaspoons are you running there? Well, I've got a lot of teaspoons, but we've got about 8,000 items of 40. 8,000! What's your favourite item? What's the item that you've got that is the most precious?

My glass mug that I give them at school to think that one day it would mean, and it means probably more to me than any of the things that have cost hundreds and hundreds of dollars. And what did the Queen mean to you? She was an example of patience and strength, quite frankly. And again, attributes to the way that you're brought up, to be honest and strong. And when you're feeling negative, you must think of the positive. Well, listen, it's a very sad day for you, Angela, and our condolences. A sad day for the world, isn't it?

Yeah. Jono and Ben on the hits. Jono and Ben, on a very sad morning around the world, Queen Elizabeth II sadly passed away peacefully overnight in Scotland, Balmoral, aged 96. Incredible, incredible reign. 70 years on the world. Queen Elizabeth II sadly passed away peacefully overnight in Scotland Balmoral, aged 96. Incredible, incredible reign. 70 years on the throne. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was just on TV

a press conference reflecting on meeting her, an amazing life, and also how she found out about the news. 4.50 this morning, a policeman in her bedroom shining a light at Jacinda Ardern waking her up. What a devastating way to wake her up. Was she very, yeah.

Was the policeman in the bedroom? She came into the bedroom with a torch. How did the policeman get it? Well, I guess they have security in the house the whole time. With a torch? I would imagine, yeah, because. Why don't you just turn the light on? She'd been reading about it the night before.

She said about the Queen not being in great health, and as soon as she saw the torch and she woke up, she thought, you know, this will be what this means. I'm no expert, but I feel like there's 20 other better ways you could have woken up the Prime Minister. Maybe she's a very deep sleeper. I don't know. Maybe. But just a frightening way to wake up.

But yeah, we are reflecting on her incredible life from the Queen. Amazing service to the Commonwealth this morning. And there's some great stories as well coming through. Yeah, we spoke to a young Kiwi guy who was a personal barista at Balmoral in Scotland for many years, said she was lovely, just absolutely lovely. And joining us now is economist Brad Olsen, who's actually met the Queen multiple times. Good morning. Good to talk to you.

Lovely to have you on, mate. Now, you've met the Queen multiple times. Three occasions, in fact. Three? How did this come about? This came about when I was awarded the Queen's Young Leaders Award back in 2016. So after Her Majesty's 60th Diamond Jubilee, she wanted to create an award where for four years

there were 60 young people from across the Commonwealth that were acknowledged for their work. I was one of the five Kiwis over that 14th period that got an award. And so in 2016, went over and got a medal from Her Majesty at Buckingham Palace. Oh, what is this? Talk us through the process of the medal being handed over and what she's saying to you. Well, and that was the huge thing. We were all there in absolute awe of what was happening. Being at Buckingham Palace, getting a medal from the Queen was a big occasion.

There was lots of protocol that we were told about. But I think what really put me at ease is when we got up there in front of her, she passed over the medal and we had a little bit of time to talk. In classic Kiwi fashion, I was a bit too overeager and actually interrupted her, accidentally if you will. Not my greatest play ever. Oh no. fashion I was a bit too over eager and actually interrupted her accidentally if you will not my greatest play ever oh no what what really got me was look for someone like her and something that came across quite loud clear was that for her service and leadership were big but importantly

those had to be seen to be done so you know leaders there are many uh across the world but I think to her she was keen to make sure that where there was good work being done, that sort of good work was profiled and put on and promoted. So that was special to me, to be able to have that sort of conversation. I'm not going to lie, for a 19-year-old standing at Buckingham Palace, it was pretty mind-blowing.

I imagine so. And do you take any souvenirs with you, apart from the medal, obviously? Are you like, oh, there's a pen or a notepad or something, a doorstop? Well, there's pretty intense security funnily enough at Buckingham Palace, so I don't think anyone sort of necessarily took much away. But I do know that we were allowed, you know, we had a pretty good run through Buckingham Palace with the parts we were allowed to do and did that, you know, had a good look around.

I think probably the most we got was the Buckingham Palace golden bag that we had to put our cell phones in because you weren't allowed through the palace. So that in the middle will be the lasting reminders, the photos, but probably more importantly the conversations that you have in those sort of places. And again, you know, she took the time. What really got me in my three visits there, because I managed to have a conversation with her in 2017 and 2018 as well, is that she genuinely cared. She took time out of what is an incredibly busy schedule to have those conversations with, let's be clear,

a pretty ordinary 19-year-old from New Zealand about what was happening locally around what was happening here in New Zealand. She cared, and I think that made a really lasting mark on me. A lot of the time, too, when you hear about conversations with her, she knew a lot about what was going on in every country in the Commonwealth, in particular New Zealand. She would reference very local news stories and events. Absolutely. She was kept very well brief.

But I think importantly as well, she was pretty good with people's names and faces. So, I mean, I went back in 2017 after my award in 2016 to help out with the next round. And she came, you know, quite quickly out of the ballroom on the way to wherever the next event was. And she saw myself and another of the Queen's Young Leaders from the year before, recognised us, said hello and actually came over to have another conversation. So that, you know, for her to take the time to memorise, you know, people and what they're doing and why she, you know, should talk to them and what we were interested in. That shows a lot of dedication to people and to actually having those conversations. What a special lady. Do you have a photo that marks the occasion of you meeting the Queen? Yes, I've got a few that are scattered around the various social

medias and similar. I must say it was the sort of thing where for someone who had been, well, had reigned for 70 odd years, who'd lived to 96, I think the inevitable was unfortunately come to pass, but those memories and photos will live on for a long time yet. And I imagine a high angle

selfie she was running there, Brad? We didn't check out the selfie game, but that would have been Pretty incredible put it this way she was more Than happy to have a pretty general chat you know Everyone that talks about the form and Pompton so that was there but she was

Happy enough to have a casual chat as well Oh thank you Brad incredible Met the Queen three times next We go live to the UK We've got Gavin Gray a UK Correspondent with exactly what's going on there. Jono and Ben on the hits. It is the hits. Jono and Ben, sad news across the world this morning. The Queen has sadly

passed away at the age of 96 after 70 years on the throne. And we thought we should catch up with the biggest fan of the Royals and the hits family. Laura McGoldrick, she's got up early for us in Australia. Good morning, Laura. Oh, horrific. I was actually up with a baby, as any parent will know what that's like, at three o'clock in the morning, and I thought, you know what, I'm not sure I'm going to get straight back to sleep.

I'll have a quick squiz on Instagram, like a mature adult that I am, and I saw that things were not looking so good. There was a lot of posts about her health, a lot of posts about different members of the family arriving at Balmoral to be by her side. And I just sort of got the feeling that things weren't too crash hot. And sure enough, they were definitely not.

So I just feel really sad. And I think a lot of people will be like me and sort of feel like it's like their grandma in a lot of ways. You know, I know it's the Queen. I know it's all of those things and all of the amazing things that she did in her reign as queen but it's sort of like sort of like your grandma at the end of the day oh yeah it's like we're reflecting this morning it's like you haven't known your life without her in it and i endure and you knew this was going to happen at some stage unfortunately she's 96 years old but it just still feels like a bit of a shock that she's no longer going to be

around well i guess it was yeah you thought you thought that it was going to last forever. She's the queen. There's something magical about that anyway, so you sort of just presume. And there's obviously been a tough period here for her over the last year since losing her husband, Prince Philip. I mean, this woman is truly exceptional. I don't know. I mean, I'm a diehard royalist.

My family, you know, we spend a lot of time talking about her, and I love that a lot of the world over the last however many years due to the crown and different documentaries that have come out really got to see exactly what she did. And to live the life that she lived, the life of service, the way she served her country, what she did, how quietly but still profoundly she lived her life. She is an extraordinary woman. And I hope that everybody, not just royalists and royal fans,

understand what she did and what her life must have been like. For a woman that was actually never meant to be the Queen. And so many huge events, so many news headline-making events within the family. What do you think was the trickiest one for her to navigate through? I like to hope that deep down Prince Harry is taking a look at some of his actions over the last couple of years and thinking maybe I could have made that transition a little smoother for my grandmother. I don't think that that was extra stuff she needed and her son Prince Andrew. I mean the last five years with the introduction of social media and all that sort of thing, like the woman has been through and seen some stuff.

I guess on Harry, things like this sadly put things into perspective as well. Some of the things that he may, the problems he may have had with his father or his brother or things like that, maybe they will go away now because there's things like this that kind of binds the family together. Well, you can only hope that that would be the case. I really genuinely do. At the end of the day, they might be royal, but they are human beings and they are mums and dads

and, you know, sons and brothers. So you hope that that does all fix itself and heal. There's a lot of healing that needs to happen there, though. Not to trivialise this, Megan Markle, are you turning up to the funeral? She shouldn't, but she will. Well, she should. I mean, surely she should.

You know, she's part of the family. She's done nothing but disrespect the Queen and what the Queen has stood for, I personally feel. And I just think it's really, I don't know, I'm not part of the family. I should be. God, I wanted to marry Prince Harry for a bit there. Well, that's why you're so anti-her. I see now.

No, no, no, I'm just into gingers, mate. Just into gingers. Oh, Laura McGoldrick, it's a very sad day. And, you know, particularly for people like yourselves, such huge fans of the royal family. So thank you very much for your time.

Hey, thank you for having me, guys. I hope you have a good morning. There's been an unusual morning here at the Hits as we try and come to terms with the news that the Queen is no longer with us, passing away at the age of 96. And we've had some incredible stories throughout the morning, spoken to some amazing people. Gavin Gray from the UK. A very sad day, Gavin.

It is indeed. Somebody who has been a constant throughout my life, through so many people's lives, probably almost all the listeners that we've got there. Now, of course, tremendous privilege, of course, tremendous wealth. But behind all that, she effectively gave up having a private life, having any sort of a private life there and then. She's had an incredible life. She's given incredible service. Kate Orksby, welcome. She's just so precious. Keep calm and carry on. That's exactly what she did. She just kept going. Clark Gayford, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's partner,

he had the opportunity to be in a room. Just the Queen, Jacinda and him. No one else. She was very engaged in New Zealand affairs and she knew details about things that really, really surprised me. Christopher Luxon joins us from the National Party. Welcome. Credible legacy, incredible story of public service

and just the amount of time that she was on the throne and just the things that she saw over history is just phenomenal and just held in such great respect by everybody. Angela, into Aroha, runs a royal museum. I've spent the morning crying so far. Oh, you poor thing. What did the Queen mean to you?

She was an example of patience and strength, quite frankly. And again, attributes to the way that you're brought up, to be honest and strong. And when you're feeling negative, you must think of the positive. Yeah, very sad, sad you must think of the positive. Yeah, very sad, sad morning. It is the hits. You got John Owen being.

You've been listening to a podcast from the hits. For more audio, search up Megan Pappas on the 3 p.m. pickup or Brad and Laura on the hits. Available now on the iHeartRadio app.