The Queen’s political neutrality is typified by Buckingham Palace’s statement  regarding Her Majesty and Brexit, which read:  “The Queen remains politically neutral as she has for 63 years. The referendum is a matter for the British people to decide.” However, in 1982 the Queen “broke her silence” during Britain’s conflict with Argentina over the Falkland Islands. It came just before news reached the UK that 50 lives had been lost in Argentina’s final attack on the British fleet, when RFA Sir Galahad was bombed. 

Andrew Morton, in his 1983 book “Andrew: The Playboy Prince”, writes: ”It was on this black day that the Queen, unaware of the tragedy on the other side of the world, broke her traditional silence and attacked Argentina.”

During a banquet at Windsor with US President Ronald Reagan, Her Majesty said: “The conflict was thrust upon us by naked aggression

“We are proud of our fighting men.

“These past few weeks have been testing ones for this country.

“Once again, we have had to stand up for the cause of freedom.”

Mr Morton also writes about Prince Andrew’s experiences during the war, including how he persuaded the Prime Minister to let him sail with the rest of his crew.

Ronald and Nancy Reagan visited the UK in 1982 and met with both the Queen and Margaret Thatcher, and the President also made a speech in Parliament.

However, the trip was not a full state visit, unlike the recent visit from President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. 

Only two other US Presidents have been afforded a state visit – George W Bush in 2003 and Barack Obama in 2011.

With the current Tory leadership contest at the centre of British politics, the Queen’s role in political matters has again come into focus. 

The Queen constitutionally does have the power to choose the next Prime Mnister, a power she has used only once in 1963.

However, sometimes members of the Royal Family more controversially dipped their toe into making statements which may be seen as political.

Most recently, the Duke of York candidly insisted business will continue to succeed whether Britain is a member of the EU or not. 

Prince Andrew told ITV News last week: “Businesses we see could be successful either inside a large internal market, or operating in an even larger external market.

“There are swings and roundabouts to all these sorts of things.”

Prince William and Kate Middleton also made a departure from traditionally neutral chat when they met sheep farmers in Cumbria last week.

The Duke of Cambridge asked farmers about their feelings on Brexit.

Community group leader Danny Teasdale said: “William did want to know how people felt about Brexit.

“The conversation was really good and they were really interested. I was impressed.”

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