10 Crazy Facts About the Queen of England

10 Crazy Facts About the Queen of England

The Queen of England is the longest reigning monarch ever in Britain. She beat out her great grandmother, Queen Victoria, and is going on 67 years in her position of power.

Despite being such a massive public figure, the Queen has always been meticulously private. The following facts are some that we’ve come to share in knowledge over time, and a few of them may actually be nothing more than rumors or publicity, who really knows? Let’s divulge.

1. The Queen Has Two Birthdays

The Queen was born on the 21st of April in 1926. She was born to her parents the Duke and Duchess of York, who later became King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother who passed away in 2002).

She was born right here in London; guided walking tours through the city center will often make a point of mentioning this.

Her birthday is celebrated annually. And then it is celebrated annually again on any given Saturday in June, when the weather is more pleasurable and celebrations outdoors can be permitted.

Queen Elizabeth – by Firebrace – Wikimedia Commons

2. She is the Only Person in the UK Allowed to Drive Without a License

When British citizens apply for either a drivers license or a passport, they are issued in the Queen’s name. This removes any necessity for the Queen to have either of her own.

She is permitted to drive without restriction, and has been seen doing so on a number of occasions. There is a famous image of her seated behind the wheel of a massive Range Rover as she escorted the Saudi Arabian prince around the palace grounds.

3. Contrary to Popular Belief, She is not the Richest Person in the UK

She’s rich, don’t make any mistake. The Queen, by law, must make more money each year than she did the last; her net worth currently sits above £340 million and counting.

She is not, however, the richest person in the UK. We know this because the Queen no long qualifies on the annual Sunday Time’s list of the 300 wealthiest Brits. Meaning there are more than 300 people worth more than £340 million at any given moment. Which is quite shocking, isn’t it?

Queen Elizabeth – by Joel Rouse/ Ministry of Defence – Wikimedia Commons

4. She Married her Third Cousin

Queen Elizabeth married Philip 69 years ago, well aware that the two are indeed related.

Both she and Philip are related to Queen Victoria. She via her father’s side of the family, and he via his mother’s side.

Some say had they been second cousins then there would have been a problem. But third cousins are permitted to turn a blind eye.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip – by BiblioArchives / LibraryArchives – Wikimedia Commons

5. She Has Owned Over 30 Corgis in her Lifetime

Not even her entire lifetime, in fact, more just during her reign as Queen.

Elizabeth is obsessed with Corgi dogs and has an overwhelming number of them at any given time. It is estimated that there have been over thirty with her since she was named Queen, with new ones finding their way into her home given the chance.

She was also responsible for the introduction of an entirely new breed of dog, the Dorgi; a cross between her beloved Corgis and Dachshunds.

6. The Royal Tiara Snapped in Half on her Wedding Day

Just as she was preparing to walk down the isle with her third cousin, Elizabeth’s tiara encountered a tragic bump that caused it to snap in half.

The court jeweler, who was no doubt on call for the duration of the day, was swiftly brought in to repair the damage and both the Queen and headpiece made it down the isle in tact. And the country breathed a royal sigh of relief.

Queen Elizabeth – by NASA/Bill Ingalls – Wikimedia Commons

7. She Has a Personal ATM Inside of Buckingham Palace

It seems unnecessary that the Queen would ever have reason to be handling cash, but this has been fact checked and is, in fact, very true.

The bank providing this service would be Coutts, one of Britains most prestigious banking institutions.

Why is the Queen drawing cash? What does she do with it? Doesn’t she have an accountant? Do the royal grandkids get pocket money? So many questions!

Buckingham Palace – by Diliff – Wikimedia Commons

8. The Queen of England Never Went to School

This is unsurprising, considering few of the countries most affluent families choose to send their children to actual schools during their developing years.

Elizabeth never attended any kind of formal school and was instead educated by tutors at home, alongside her sister Margaret.

In this same manner, she would go on to learn business, trade, international relations and everything else needed to manage her role as Queen.

9. She Reportedly Drinks a Glass of Champagne Every Night Before Bed

It’s no secret that Champagne and other delicacies flow freely at any of the royal gatherings. Rumor has it that the Queen loves this sugary beverage so much, she drinks a glass of it every night before bed without fail.

No one is certain on how to prove or disprove this, as the Queen has offered no confirmation nor denial on the matter. If she does indeed toss back a glass of bubbly before retreating into the royal slumber I’d say we desperately need to know. Is this the secret to eternal success and seeming immortality?

Queen Elizabeth meets Michelle Obama – by Pete Souza – Wikimedia Commons

10. The Queen of England Doesn’t Have a Passport

Like the drivers license, passports are issued under her name, thus omitting her from ever needing one to travel the world.

The Queen simply arrives. And leaves when she feels she is done.

She has even been known to go completely incognito, walking the streets and blending in with regular civilians.

She was once spotted in Scotland by a group of American travelers who were taken by her charming attire and cute accent. They asked her where she was from, to which she replied London. They asked her if she had ever met the Queen, to which she replied “no, but he has” and pointed to her personal police guard.