A regal career

Press, 24 June 1981, Page 12

A regal career

A Queen Elizabeth II lookalike, the actress, Jeannette Charles, admits that the latest wave of interest in the Royal family is a boost to her career.

“But I hope,” she says with an imperious note in her voice, “that everything I do is in good taste. I have tremendous respect for the Queen.”

These days, Jeannette Charles spends, most of her time touring the world with her impersonation of. the Queen act. She makes television commercials, appearing on chat shows, opening stores and even bestowing a few “knighthoods” here and 'there.

“No venue or campaign is complete without her,” reads her publicity. The daughter of a London restaurateur who worked in many countries, and a Dutch mother, Jeannette learned dancing and elocution, and won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. .

But times were tough just after the end of the Second World War. Her family did not have the money to’ support her so she could take up her scholarship. She, tried for parts in repertory, but after a few minor roles, left for the United States. She did not exactly achieve fame and fortune there either.

Although people turned to stare at her likeness to the then Princess Elizabeth when she was only 16, Jeannette’s career as a look-alike did not really take off until well after her marriage to Kenneth Charles, who runs an oil drilling business.

In 1971, she was a housewife and mother of three, living in Chelmsford, Essex. As a surprise present for her husband’s birthday, Mrs Charles asked a local artist, June Thornhill, to paint a picture of her.

When the artist later submitted it to the Royal Academy for the summer exhibition, it was taken for granted

News,” the Spike Milligan series and Monty Python shows. Every year she pays script writers more than $5OO to prepare a series of jokes based on Royal events, and adds her own comments according to the audience, "whether it’s IBM, or a meeting of biscuit advertisers.”

And she had just got a new agent in London, Howard T’Loosty, who wants to groom her as an entertainer.

Undeniably resembling the Queen, Jeannette Charles is said by some critics to assume a haughty Royal approach, quite unbecoming to a commoner.

“I hope I have not got a swollen head,” she says. “My whole act is now based on the look-alike aspect, whereas it used to be 70 per cent acting other parts as well.

“I understand very well exactly how the Queen feels when she moves among the people who love her.