- Queen Elizabeth had no idea what a vodka ice luge was at Prince William's 21st birthday.
- But why would the Queen of England, then 77, know what a vodka ice luge was?
In 2003, Queen Elizabeth found herself at her grandson Prince William's 21st birthday party, staring down an elephant-shaped vodka ice luge.
But, being the Queen of England, she had no idea what she was looking at, Johnny Roxburgh, the party's planner, said on Channel 5's "The Royal Borough: Kensington and Chelsea," which airs Thursday in the UK, the Daily Mail reported.
As Roxburgh told Tatler in 2018, he planned a myriad of private events for the royal family throughout his career, including the Queen's annual Christmas party for her staff.
He went on to tell Tatler that William's 21st birthday party was his favorite event he ever planned for the royal family — and the Queen's reaction to some of the decor was part of the fun.
According to the Daily Mail, Roxburgh said on "The Royal Borough" that William — who is now 41, a father of three, and first in line for the throne — had an "Out of Africa"-themed birthday bash at Windsor Castle to celebrate his milestone birthday.
It featured musicians flown in from Botswana, lavish costumes, and celebrity guests.
Africa has special significance for William, as he spent time there during his gap year before starting his studies at the University of St Andrews. Prince Harry also spent extended time in Africa, even taking Meghan Markle on a trip to Botswana for their third date.
"I remember when it was William's 21st was a jungle theme," Roxburgh said on "The Royal Borough" of William's party, according to the Daily Mail. "And we have an enormous vodka luge, which was made in the shape of an elephant's head."
Before the party started, Queen Elizabeth got a look at someone pouring vodka down the luge, Roxburgh said.
"She looked at me and said, 'What is that?' And I said, 'Ma'am, it's a vodka luge,'" Roxburgh said, according to the Daily Mail.
But why would the Queen of England, at the time 77 years old, know what a vodka ice luge is? She wouldn't, and Roxburgh's frank explanation didn't help clear up her confusion.
"I could have said it was it was a tin of Brasso because she just looked at me confused and said, 'Hmmm,'" Roxburgh said, according to the Daily Mail.
Although the party marked Queen Elizabeth's first experience with an ice luge, the late monarch was no stranger to alcohol. As Insider previously reported, the Queen often had a gin and Dubonnet with her lunches and a martini in the evenings.
The ice luge caught Queen Elizabeth's eye at the event, but Roxburgh said on "The Royal Borough" that the soiree featured an array of statement decor, the Daily Mail reported.
He said it included "full-size elephants made from palm husk" as well as "table centers that would shame a Lion King headdress."
"I realized then that our future king is a very cool young man," he added, according to the Daily Mail.