FASCINATING FACTS ABOUT HER MAJESTY
Princess Elizabeth wasn’t born in a palace but in an upmarket townhouse belonging to her maternal grandparents. She was named Elizabeth Alexandra Mary after her mother, great-grandmother and grandmother. That townhouse, at 17 Bruton Street in Mayfair, London, is now a posh Michelin-star Chinese restaurant called Hakkasan.
Elizabeth and Philip received more than 2 500 wedding gifts. The gifts were later displayed at St James Palace for the public to view.
The queen was a francophone, having learnt French as a child, and she spoke the language privately. She also delivered speeches in French over the years.
Prince Philip, who died in 2021, was the longest-serving male consort in British history.
Elizabeth’s eldest child, Charles, was the longest-serving heir apparent. He was 73 when he acceded the throne.
Her Majesty wore more than 5 000 hats over the years, but it wasn’t just a look. “It’s a reminder that the queen is indentured to a service, to a job,” royal expert Robert Lacey explains.
The queen undertook 265 official overseas visits. By comparison, her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, who ruled over 70 territories and was Empress of India, never set foot out of Europe. The queen gave royal assent to 3 500 acts of parliament, which means bills become acts of law. She signed her name “Elizabeth R”. The “R” stands for “Regina,” the Latin word for queen. The queen had eight grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and 30 godchildren. She was seven when she sat for her first portrait.