The Queen uses Skype to stay in touch with her grandchildren


September 17, 2015

The Queen might have just made history as Britain's longest-reigning monarch, but she likes to keep up to date with modern technology. The 89-year-old royal has revealed that she uses online chat service Skype to stay in touch with her granddaughter Zara Phillips. Her Majesty made the revelation while making her annual visit to the Women's Institute in Sandringham. "She's very much in the modern world, and as most grandparents know, if they want to keep in touch with their families these days that’s what they have to do," Yvonne Browne, vice president and chair of the group, told People.

© Photo: Getty Images

The Queen has revealed she relies on Skype to stay in touch with granddaughter Zara Phillips

The WI are celebrating their 100th anniversary this year – with the Queen attending meetings at her local chapter in Sandringham for 72 years now. "The Queen has been coming since 1943, and I think she's only missed four or five in that time," Yvonne added. "For that one afternoon, she's just an ordinary WI member."The monarch – who is also the president of the WI - typically attends the meetings with her lady-in-waiting, and joins fellow members in the village hall, where she enjoys an exhibition, a speaker, a drama performance and afternoon tea."She has ordinary tea, Yorkshire tea, just with milk," Yvonne revealed. "We are led to believe that she likes gingerbread, but she likes fruit cake and shortbread very much as well. We tend to have all those things on the plate, just in case!"Aside from the cakes, the Queen is especially fond of the entertainment part of the day, when some of the members put on a little show. "She always roars with laughter when one of the locals called Maureen comes on – she's very good!" Yvonne added.

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