Artist Frances Segelman, who spent hours privately working with Queen Elizabeth to create the perfect sculpted likeness of her face, revealed why the bustling streets outside Buckingham Palace often made the Queen “anxious.”
According to Frances, during one of the Queen’s outings, “cars were driving around Buckingham Palace. The Queen was very worried that someone might get hit.”
She recalled the Queen saying: “I really worry about that. I worry so much because they’re taking pictures and not looking where they’re going.”
The central location of Buckingham Palace—right next to royal parks such as Green Park and Hyde Park—makes it a popular tourist destination. This might be part of the reason why Prince William and Kate Middleton reportedly plan never to move there, even once they become King and Queen.
Instead, the Prince and Princess of Wales are believed to be moving into Forest Lodge, an eight-bedroom home in Great Windsor Park. That could remain their “permanent home,” while Buckingham Palace would serve only as their London headquarters when needed.
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Frances was not only fortunate enough to sculpt the late Queen but also created busts of Prince Philip and King Charles. Reflecting on her time with the late Duke of Edinburgh, she said: “I was nervous, so to break the ice I told him, ‘I think I’ll give you a smile.’ He absolutely didn’t want that. He said: ‘Absolutely not. I absolutely hate all those cheesy portraits or sculptures.’”
Despite that moment, Frances remembers the Duke fondly, describing him as “very lighthearted… He also talked to me about going on scenic holidays.”
She had the rare honor of spending private moments with two monarchs, and sculpted Charles back when he was still the Prince of Wales. Their four sessions took place at his residence, Highgrove. Speaking of the now-King, Frances shared only warm words.
She described King Charles as “an extraordinarily thoughtful and caring man” who spoke to her about world affairs. “He spoke about peace, worried about everyone. He came across as a very, very special, caring person. Also very sensitive,” she recalled.
