Queen caught on camera describing 'very rude' Chinese officials

[LONDON] Queen Elizabeth II was caught making unguarded remarks about China's state visit to the UK last year, saying its delegation had been "very rude" to her ambassador.

The Queen's remarks were captured on camera as she was introduced to Commander Lucy d'Orsi, the officer in charge of security during the October trip, at a garden party at Buckingham Palace.

On being told of Ms D'Orsi's job during the visit, the Queen replied: "Oh bad luck." As the commander explained that planning the visit had been "quite a testing time," the monarch said that she was already quite aware.

"They were very rude to the ambassador," the Queen said.

Ms D'Orsi went on to tell her how the Chinese delegation walked out on one meeting with her and Ambassador Barbara Woodward. "Extraordinary," the Queen replied.

Chinese President Xi Jinping's trip to the UK last year was hailed by Prime Minister David Cameron as a bonanza for British business but was criticised by others who said he was much too warm towards his visitor.

The Queen's exchange happened on the same week that Mr Cameron was overheard telling her on a live microphone that this week's corruption conference in London will feature some "fantastically corrupt" countries.

"We've got some leaders of some fantastically corrupt countries coming to Britain," Mr Cameron told the Queen during an event to mark her 90th birthday.

"Nigeria and Afghanistan are possibly the two most corrupt countries in the world."

BLOOMBERG