Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest serving monarch, died on Thursday, September 8, 2022 at the age of 96. The queen took her last breath peacefully at Balmoral, Scotland in the afternoon, as per a statement by Buckingham Palace.
In June this year, the United Kingdom celebrated her Platinum Jubilee to mark the 70 years of service to the nation. Queen Elizabeth became the longest reigning monarch in 2015, when she surpassed the record of Queen Victoria, who had ruled from 1837 to 1901.
Ascending the throne in 1952, Elizabeth led the United Kingdom through a time of political upheaval. Her husband Prince Philip, whom she described as her strength and stay, died in April 2021, at the age of 99.
Now her elder son Charles has succeeded her on the throne as King Charles III. The Royal family including King Charles, his sons- Williams and Harry and their families have gathered at her Balmoral retreat in the Scottish highlands, where she spent her last days.
Here are 10 Interesting Facts About Queen Elizabeth II:
1- She was not born in a Palace
Despite the fact that Queen Elizabeth II was the the first child of the Duke and Duchess of York- the future King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (the Mother Queen), and the eldest granddaughter of King George V, she was not born in a palace, she was instead born in a town house in London that belonged to her Scottish maternal grandparents, the Earl and Countess of Strathmore.
2- Multiple Birthdays
Queen Elizabeth II was born on April 21, 1926, but it was sometimes confusing for the public to know when to celebrate. There was no universally fixed day for her official birthday. It’s either the first, second or third Saturday in June, and was decided by the government.
In Australia, her birthday was celebrated on the second Monday of June, while in Canada, was marked on a Monday either or on before May 24, Queen Victoria’s birthday. Only the queen and those closest to her celebrated her actual birthday in a private gathering.
3- She was Homeschooled
Queen Elizabeth II was educated at her home alongside her only sibling Princess Margaret, who was born in 1930. The two princess were educated under the supervision of their mother and their governess, Marion Crawford. They were taught lessons concentrated on history, language, literature and music.
4- The Queen Never Needed a Passport
The Queen did not need a passport, nor did she require a driver’s license because both passports and driving license are issued in the name of Her Majesty, so it was not necessary for her to possess them.
5- The Queen Survived an Attack
In 1981, a teenager shot a replica gun at the Queen as she rode past crowds on a horse during Trooping of the Colours, an annual parade. Thankfully, the attacker used blanks and no one was injured, however, her horse was startled.
6- She became Queen at 25
In 1952, when she was on a visit to Kenya with her husband Prince Philip, her father king George VI died at the age of 56. After her father she was crowned as his heir at Westminster Abbey in Central London on June 2, 1953. She was just 25 at that time.
7- She became the Head of 7 independent Commonwealth Countries after Coronation
Queen Elizabeth II, after her coronation, became the queen regnant of seven independent Commonwealth countries and these were the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan and Ceylon ( present day Sri Lanka).
8- She was the Head of 54 Commonwealth Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, simply referred to as the Commonwealth, is a political association of 56 member states, the vast majority of which are former territories of the British Empire and the Queen was the head of these nations before her death. Her father, King George VI, was the first monarch to be formally styled as Head of the Commonwealth.
9- A Great Mimicker
Elizabeth often gave the impression of serious demeanor, and many have noted her poke face but those who knew her, described her as having a mischievous sense of humour and a talent of mimicry in Private company.
Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury has said the queen could be extremely funny in private and not everybody appreciates how funny she can be.
10- A Dog (Corgis) Lover
It is widely known that Elizabeth loved Corgis. Reportedly, late princess Diana, the former wife of King Charles III, also called the dogs of the queen “her moving assets”, because they accompanied her everywhere. She owned more than 30 Corgis over the years.
