Amanda Holden recently shared a charming exchange she had with Queen Camilla at a charity event on July 14, revealing the monarch’s playful side. The event, held at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, saw numerous animal-loving celebrities come together to celebrate the launch of a new “dog garden.”
Speaking on Heart Breakfast with Jamie Theakston, Amanda reflected on the memorable encounter, saying, “Her Majesty was very kind—she’s a real dog lover.” The Queen’s genuine interest shone through when she inquired about Amanda’s dog, Minnie, a rescue adopted from the charity last year.
Amanda recounted the conversation: “The Queen asked how I was getting on with Minnie. I told her how I initially pretended to my husband, Chris, that we were just fostering her.” She went on to describe Minnie’s affectionate tactics to win over Chris: “Whenever he comes home, Minnie flirts by rolling onto her back for a tummy tickle. Chris then joked, ‘Why can’t you be more like that, Mandy?’”
It was Queen Camilla’s quick-witted response that stole the show. Amanda smiled as she recalled, “Her Majesty said, ‘Like dog, like owner.’ I replied, ‘Absolutely, Your Majesty.’”
The new dog garden at Battersea is a collaborative creation by the Royal Horticultural Society and BBC Radio 2, designed by Gardeners’ World’s Monty Don and Jamie Butterworth. Battersea Dogs and Cats Home continues its essential work rescuing and rehabilitating animals in need.
Aside from the royal moment, Amanda confessed to being late for Monday’s Heart FM show due to travel trouble. Her driver forgot to set his alarm and admitted to oversleeping—his fifth mishap this year—prompting Amanda’s humorous warning, “Heads are going to roll.”