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For the first time ever, James Bond is serving His Majesty instead of Her Majesty

007: First Light is the first piece of James Bond media to take place during the reign of a British King since the original novel.

News by Trent Cannon, Senior Contributing writer

Published on Wed Jun 03 2026

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It has been a few years since we’ve had a new James Bond film, and it is likely to be even longer before we get another one. Thankfully, we’ve got 007: First Light to tide us over. While playing it shortly after its release, one line caught us off guard simply because it was a sudden reminder that it is the first piece of James Bond media to use the phrase “His Majesty’s Secret Service.”

It is a small distinction, but it was almost jarring to hear a character mention His Majesty’s Secret Service in 007: First Light simply because James Bond has almost always taken place during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. We say almost because the first book, Casino Royale, was published in April 1953, a few months before Britain’s longest-reigning monarch was crowned. It is worth mentioning that the Queen’s father, King George VI, died in 1952, so none of the Ian Fleming novels were published during the reign of a British king.

The phrase “Her Majesty’s Secret Service” is uniquely tied to the James Bond franchise. It pops up periodically to describe the nebulous place that the 00 program exists within MI6 as well as features in the title of George Lazenby’s only James Bond film, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. The subtle change makes sense within the world of 007: First Light; it explicitly states that it takes place in the modern era, with Bond quipping, “It’s the 21st Century. Even my toaster has a tracker.” So, they had to acknowledge the change in the British monarchy in some way.

007: First Light is the first piece of James Bond media that takes place during the reign of a king, which led to the subtle change of one of the franchise’s key phrases. With the reign of King Charles III and the string of male heirs to the throne that currently exist, it is unlikely that the series will ever refer to Her Majesty’s Secret Service again.

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