Queen Camilla raised eyebrows of amused guests as she cheekily called for the recreation of an "infamous’ scene" from the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.
The Queen was speaking at Chatsworth House to mark 250 years since author Jane Austen’s birth, whose seminal novel was the basis for the 1995 series featuring Colin Firth.
In the adaptation, the Oscar-winning actor’s Mr Darcy emerges from a lake drenched in a scene that sent audiences swooning.
Evidently, the Queen was one of those appreciative watchers as she bid her host for the evening, William Cavendish, Earl of Burlington, to provide his own rendition of the moment.
Queen Camilla made the cheeky request to recreate an 'infamous' scene from the BBC adaption of Pride and Prejudice
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In her speech for the occasion, Camilla began: "Who can forget the infamous scene of Mr Darcy emerging from the lake in the BBC version?”
“Maybe, William, you could be persuaded to re-enact this memorable moment in the lake here a little later on – to add to the excitement of the day?!”
The Queen’s quip prompted laughter from the audience before she continued with the rest of her address, opening the third Queen's Reading Room Festival at the Derbyshire estate.
The celebration marked 250 years since Jane Austen's birth, with Chatsworth serving as the perfect venue given its role as Pemberley in screen adaptations.
The 1995 adaption features Colin Firth's Mr Darcy emerging, sodden, from a lake
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Notable literary figures attended the reception, including Bridgerton creator Julia Quinn, Bridget Jones author Helen Fielding, and broadcaster Gyles Brandreth.
Festival activities included a discussion between Mr Brandreth and Jane Austen Society president Gill Hornby about the celebrated author's life and works.
Attendees viewed rare Austen artefacts typically housed at Jane Austen House in Chawton, which the Queen described as "treasures."
The evening concluded with an outdoor screening of the 2005 Pride and Prejudice film on Chatsworth's lawns.
The Queen joked that her host, Lord Burlington (left), could recreate the scene to 'add to the excitement of the day'
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The Queen reflected on her charity's remarkable journey from a modest beginning during the pandemic.
"As some of you may know, my Reading Room started humbly and, in the face of several naysayers, as a list of nine of my favourite novels scribbled on a notepad during the first lockdown," she told guests.
The initiative has since transformed into a thriving digital community boasting more than 180,000 members online.
Her Majesty proudly noted that the platform now reaches an annual audience of 12 million individuals across 183 nations.
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The Queen was speaking at the opening of the third Queen's Reading Room Festival in Derbyshire
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"It is a truth universally acknowledged that books make life better," the Queen declared.
Despite battling a hoarse voice following her recent bout of acute sinusitis and busy schedule during President Trump's state visit.
The Queen also engaged warmly with domestic abuse survivors from the Elm Foundation.
She discussed literature's therapeutic benefits with the charity's volunteers, noting: "There's nothing like a book to take you away. It helps so much with stress. You can shut yourself away with a book; it's a safe space."