ComScore

Queen Elizabeth Makes Secretive Visit to the MI5 Offices (and Even Delivers a Speech)

Queen Elizabeth is channeling her inner James Bond. 

The 93-year-old made a covert visit to the central London headquarters of the secret intelligence agency MI5 on Tuesday. For the event, the monarch dressed in an elegant plum coat and matching wide-brimmed hat. 

Given the nature of the security agency, which handles the United Kingdom's domestic counter-intelligence and security, few details about the event have been shared publicly. However, we do know that Elizabeth received a personal tour of the spy center by MI5 director Sir Andrew Parker. 

queen elizabeth m15
WPA Pool / Pool

She even gave a short speech (shared on Twitter by the official royal family account) expressing her gratitude to the staff. Watch the full video below. 

“I would like to take my visit here today as an opportunity to thank you all for the tireless work you do to keep our country safe. I am always struck by the remarkable resolve with which you carry out your vital role,” she began her speech. “There will no doubt continue to be significant threats and challenges ahead. But on each of my visits to MI5, I have been impressed by the way that you have adapted to the changing threats to our nation.”

*Cue the 007 theme song*