Queen Elizabeth II died on Thursday (8). Owner of the longest reign in the world, the monarch turned 96 in April and was under medical care in Balmoral, Scotland, after doctors became concerned about her health.
Throughout his life, numerous curiosities about his personality, marriage and reign were discovered. Her favorite drink was Gin—she even had a drink daily before lunch, and she had a secret passageway from the palace to her favorite bar in London.
The monarch celebrated two birthdays and did not need a passport to travel, nor a driver’s license to drive. However, there are other little-known facts and stories about the Queen of England. Check below 10 curiosities of the monarch, who leaves four children, eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
NOT BORN TO BE QUEEN
The monarch was the daughter of the King’s youngest son, so there was no expectation of her ascending the throne. What’s more, the Queen’s first house no longer exists — and there are repeated claims on the internet that it was destroyed by air strikes during World War II.
BAG COLLECTION
The monarch wore only one bag model, by the Launer London brand. Rumors said that the monarch had more than 200 copies. Her favorites had larger handles, allowing her arms to easily pass through when she went to greet someone.
INAUGURATION OF MASP
On a trip to Brazil in 1968, the Queen and Prince Philip (1921-2021) were in São Paulo and inaugurated the new headquarters of the Museu de Arte de São Paulo Assis Chateaubriand –better known by the acronym MASP–, on Avenida Paulista. In addition, they watched Pelé, 81, play at Maracanã, in Rio de Janeiro, and handed a symbolic cup to the soccer star.
OWNER OF ALL DOLPHINS
The monarch owns all dolphins, sturgeons (one of the oldest extant bony fish families) and whales that live in UK waters. According to a statute of 1324, valid to this day, all marine creatures are recognized as “royal fish”. Furthermore, she also owns all the white swans in England.
RACING DOVES
The queen was also known for her passion for racing pigeons. She owned about 200 birds, and became an ambassador for the Royal Pigeon Racing Association.
SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY
The queen could not be prosecuted or imprisoned. If the monarch had committed a crime, due to “sovereign immunity”, prosecutors could go after her for exercising executive power, but the ministers would answer for her.
FIGHT IN WORLD WAR II
Elizabeth served during World War II at a young age. In 1945, at age 18, she joined the women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service and trained as a truck driver and mechanic. She became the only female member of the royal family to enter the armed forces, and was for years the only living head of state to officially serve in the conflict.
ONE OF THE FIRST TO USE INTERNET
The monarch was one of the first people to use the internet. In 1976, she visited a telecommunications research center in Malvern, UK, where the first ARPANET computer network was located. Elizabeth sent an email for the first time. Her username was HME2, an acronym for “Majesty Elizabeth II”. In 2009, she joined Twitter and in 2010 she joined Facebook. In the year 2019, she made her first Instagram post.
I DIDN’T NEED TO PAY TAXES, BUT I PAID
The queen has voluntarily paid income and capital gains taxes since 1992, even though she does not need to be officially accountable.
MEALS WITH X-RAY
Welsh chef Graham Tinsley, who has cooked for Queen Elizabeth II on several occasions, said he was once required to have her meals x-rayed before they were served at official dinners. Furthermore, he revealed that the entire kitchen staff was required to meet at a police station and ride a motorcycle to the castle, and at some banquets guests even had aliases for security.
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