SHE SHARES the same initials as the Queen of England, the same optician, some of the same mannerisms and even dresses in like fashion.
In fact, Elizabeth Richard's life is one big replica of that of Queen Elizabeth II.
But why would anyone want to spend so much of their time trying to be someone else?
It's her job.
Richard, who is in her 70s, is just one of many of the Queen's look-a-likes back home in England, who make a living from impersonating their monarch. But she is probably the most popular.
She has landed cameo appearances on television, done numerous advertisements and is the craze at corporate parties and events. Some of the more well known films she has appeared in include the Warner Brothers movie What A Girl Wants, Agent Cody Banks 2 and Love Actually.
And, she has worked with the likes of Sir Elton John, Jerry Springer and Zsa Zsa Gabor.
Her uncanny resemblance to the Queen had Barbadians and visitors of all ages doing curtsies for the past week, while she was at Cave Shepherd, Broad Street, The City, doing a promotion for Virgin Atlantic Airlines.
Interestingly, Richard, a professional actress and dancer, began her acting career quite late.
When she retired from her job as an office professional in a doctor's office over 15 years ago, she needed something to keep her interest and pay the bills at the same time.
Then, it hit her like a ton of bricks. She would become queen of England.
"This idea was solely mine. I didn't have a Prince Philip in my life when retirement came, so I came up with the idea.
"People asked me what made me think I looked like the Queen and I said all I had to do was look in the mirror.
"This is my first career (in) show business and acting. It came late in life. I just decided I could do with the extra money and I took it on," she said.
Apparently, the look-a-like business is big in England and Richard's career took off.
Before she knew it, she was being whisked off to countries like America, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Finland, Sweden, Singapore, Turkey, Israel, Holland, Malaysia, Spain, Dubai and France to work.
Her success was further helped by the many similarities she shares with Queen Elizabeth II. They are both the same height – 5 feet, 3 1/2 inches – and, according to Richard, they even share the same frown and smile.
But it isn't cheap living like a queen. She has to provide her own wardrobe and costumes. Her tiara cost £1 200, her hats [which are made by the Queen's milliner] are about £200 each and her outfits usually cost around £2 000. Richard's gloves are also stitched by the Queen's glove maker.
She pays for all this out of her own pocket.
"My pay is average and all the decorations that go along with the outfits mount up. Nobody helps you with that.
"I refer to myself as a do-it-yourself job because I do my own hair and make-up and all the costumes I have to buy, alter or make."
Even down to the Queen's regal wave she has perfected. And to make things interesting, she even has her own sword which she uses to "knight" people at functions.
Sometimes it is hard to determine where the role ends and Richard begins.
"That's because the Queen's mannerisms just happen to be my mannerisms as well," she quipped.
And to think, Richard has never met the Queen. But while she enjoys doing either serious or funny imitations of her monarch, she said she would never do anything that would be considered rude or disrespectful, though other look-a-likes might.
"If I was invited to a garden party which she has often on the palace grounds, I wouldn't dress as her because that would be rude," she said, adding: "She knows about people like me. But she doesn't comment."
In reality, Richard's life is quite different from the Queen's. For instance, she lives in an apartment and the Queen the sprawling Buckingham Palace.
She also lives in Central London, just like the Queen, but while Queen Elizabeth has the protection of her guards and palace security, Richard has been mugged on several occasions.
"Central London is not a happy place. There is so much crime. I have not only been mugged but my apartment has been broken into. Maybe I'll consider moving to Barbados when I retire from this job," she said smiling.
Richard was quite surprised at how many Barbadians, especially the older ones, respected the Queen.
"Yesterday [Monday], we had a wonderful old lady who walked with a stick and she thought I was really the Queen. She said she was so excited to meet me.
"Of all the locals and visitors who saw me, it was mostly the Barbadians who thought I was the real Queen," she said.
Richard leaves Barbados tomorrow but there will be no rest for this busy actress. She will be attending a carnival in England appearing as . . . who else, but the Queen of England.
