The Queen's Olympic surprise was inspired by a famous James Bond stunt, says Danny Boyle

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Fans will remember the moment when Queen Elizabeth II appeared to jump out of a helicopter to open the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

The royal, who died in 2022 at the age of 96, stunned the nation when she took part in a rousing opening sequence to mark the start of the Summer Games 12 years ago.

In a video directed by Danny Boyle and shown during the opening ceremony, Daniel Craig once again took on the role of James Bond and accompanied the Queen to the venue in a helicopter.

Afterwards, both of them appeared to jump out of the helicopter with a parachute bearing the Union Jack flag; a stunt double was used for this.

In a new book, which will be published as a serial novel, The Daily MailAuthor Craig Crown reveals that the moment was inspired by the opening sequence of the 1977 James Bond film. The Spy Who Loved Me.

In A trip around the worldCrown describes how Boyle came up with this iconic moment after remembering the scene in the film where Bond (played by Roger Moore) skis to the edge of a mountain and jumps off, his parachute opening and revealing the Union Jack.

Brown writes that Boyle and his team had visited the Queen to decide how her double should be dressed for the stunt when she herself expressed interest in taking part.

It was the Queen's dresser, Angela Kelly, who asked the Queen if she wanted to join in. The Empress immediately agreed, on the condition that she could say “Good evening, Mr Bond.”

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This moment made its first appearance at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in London on July 27, 2012.

Following the Queen's death last year, Craig recalled a “very funny” joke she made at his expense during filming.

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The actor said the late royal was “very funny” and “wanted to make a joke, a joke about me.”

Craig added: “We were having our picture taken and she was like, 'Oh no, he's the one who's not smiling.'”