The Queen loves a good pantomime
One of the young Elizabeth’s favourite pastimes was performing in pantomimes. Images that have just been recently made public show her, aged 15, playing Prince Florizel during a Christmas production in December 1941. After this starring role, her majesty starred in both Sleeping Beauty and Aladdin.
She can get angry
On a state visit to Australia in 1954, an argument erupted between the Queen and Prince Philip. According to reports, her majesty was filmed “hurling shoes and sporting equipment, and venting the sort of regal fury that, in another age, would have cost someone their head”. The queen later apologised for her outburst and quipped “I’m sorry for that little interlude, but, as you know, it happens in every marriage.
Countries lavish her with weird gifts
It’s tradition for the Queen to receive gifts from countries that visit the United Kingdom but they’re not always erm…conventional. Brazil saw fit to give jaguars and sloths while Canada sent over two black beavers. Other weird offerings include pineapples, eggs, snail shells, maple trees and 7kg of prawns. Sounds like the strangest Christmas list ever.
Dogs are an important part of her life, and not just corgis
The queen loves corgis so much that she’s owned over 30 during her reign.
As well as corgis, her majesty breeds labradors and cocker spaniels and dorgis which are a mix of a corgi and a dachshund. Apparently she once demoted a footman who gave one of her dog’s some whiskey!
She owns quite a lot of fish
It’s a well-known fact that the Queen owns all mute swans in open water but did you know this rule extends to fish as well? Technically, her majesty owns all royal fish in the water around the UK, including all whales, porpoises and dolphins. She’s this close to her very own SeaWorld at Buckingham Palace!
QUESTION TIME:
The Queen has undertaken over 260 official overseas visits to over 116 different countries, but which country has she visited the most?
– Australia
– Canada
– New Zealand
Email your answer to
[email protected]. The winner will get a top prize. Good luck!
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