There has been much solemnity and seriousness in the Queen’s life – but as she reaches her 96th birthday, what has often been overlooked is her sense of humour.

“Laughing things off has been an important survival technique,” says royal historian Robert Lacey.

The Queen’s well-developed “sense of the absurd” has been a vital private outlet from such a highly choreographed public life, where she often has to remain straight-faced, he says.

“She obviously takes her job seriously – but at the same time, it doesn’t stop her having a sense of the ridiculous,” Mr Lacey says.

The Duke of Sussex, after last week’s flying visit to the UK, singled out his grandmother’s “great sense of humour” as her best quality.

Good mimic

Historian and author Sir Anthony Seldon says: “A defining characteristic is that she doesn’t take herself too seriously. It’s significantly contributed to the success of her reign.”

He says the Queen has none of the “self-obsession” that he calls the “disease of the age”.

“There is a lack of pomposity, a certain irreverence,” he says. “She’s able to laugh off misfortune and keep going.”

In private, the Queen is said to be a very good mimic, according to Mr Lacey, a historical consultant on Netflix series The Crown.

She is said to do a particularly good impression of the former Russian leader Boris Yeltsin, says Karen Dolby, author of the Wicked Wit of Queen Elizabeth II.

And she imitates other politicians, clerics and TV characters.

Mr Lacey describes the Queen’s humour as often “self-deprecating and mildly making fun of herself”.

He gives the example of a politician who had the embarrassment of their mobile phone going off during a private conversation with the Queen.

After the phone was switched off, the Queen said: “I hope it wasn’t someone important.”

Dry wit

Ms Dolby particularly likes the story of the Queen accidentally meeting some American tourists during a rainy walk with a protection officer near her home at Balmoral.

Not recognising the wrapped-up figure, the tourists asked if she had ever met the Queen.

“No, but he has,” she replied, pointing to the protection officer beside her.

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The Queen is said to be a very good mimic

On another private trip, shopping in Norfolk, a shop assistant told her: “You look just like the Queen.”

To which the Queen is said to have replied: “How reassuring.”

There are different versions of these stories – but they all share a dry, understated quality and something of a cryptic edge.

Who dares, Windsor

Humour is also a useful way of breaking the ice and defusing tension when people are nervous around her.

“She’s quick to see when people are not at ease,” Sir Anthony says.

“The ability to be entertained and to see the funny side of life helps to keep her in contact with people.”

The Queen has met many comedians, including Tommy Cooper, who Ms Dolby recounts once asked the monarch if she liked football.

When she admitted to not being particularly interested, he replied: “In that case, can I have your FA Cup final tickets?”

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Laughter is an important relief from stressful situations

In terms of TV comedy preferences, the Kumars at No. 42 is said to have been a royal favourite.

Dad’s Army, Last of the Summer Wine and the late radio broadcaster Sir Terry Wogan have also been mentioned, choices as comfortable as an old cardigan.

Shared relief

The Queen has spent a life under scrutiny, the constant focus of attention at high-profile ceremonies.

In such stressful situations laughter is a hugely important response, according to Audrey Tang, of the British Psychological Society.

“It’s that gesture of shared relief,” she says.

IMAGE SOURCE,PHIL NOBLE
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“Let us not take ourselves too seriously,” the Queen said in a Christmas message

It makes people feel physically better to laugh and release tension, says the psychologist.

It is also a “bonding experience” and the Queen and Prince Philip were said to have shared a great ability to laugh together.

But it can get complicated.

Laughing privately after an event is fine – but everyone must have suffered that terrible feeling of a fit of the giggles at the wrong time.

Such “incongruous emotions” can be a natural and involuntary response to feeling overwhelmed or wanting to relieve the stress of a moment, Dr Tang says.

Ms Dolby describes when the Queen seemed to be fighting the giggles at a formal signing ceremony, after Canadian prime minister Jean Chretien snapped off the top of his pen and then audibly swore.

IMAGE SOURCE,CHRIS YOUNG / PA MEDIA
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The Queen was captured by a photographer giggling at the chaos caused by a swarm of bees

“She likes the absurd – and when things go wrong, she’s more likely to be amused than annoyed,” Sir Anthony says.

Photographer Chris Young captured the Queen dissolving into giggles when a swarm of bees disrupted a military review at Windsor Castle, in 2003.

“I recognised that it was a human moment,” Mr Young said.

“She was giggling like a little girl.”

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall have also been filmed fighting a losing battle with the giggles, at a throat-singing performance in Canada, external.

In her 1991 Christmas message, the Queen gave her own thoughts.

“Let us not take ourselves too seriously,” she said.

“None of us has a monopoly on wisdom.”