Only the most interesting thing about the ruling monarch of Great Britain!
1. The Queen speaks French fluently and often uses this language during receptions and ceremonies without the need for an interpreter.
2. The Queen received more than 3.5 million letters and parcels during her reign. Since 1952, she has awarded more than 400 thousand honorary titles and awards. She sent about 175,000 telegrams to British and Commonwealth citizens who celebrated the 100th anniversary, and more than 540,000 couples celebrating the diamond wedding, as well as more than 37,000 Christmas cards.
3. About 1.5 million people attended parties in the garden of Buckingham Palace and in the official royal residence in Scotland during her reign.
4. For the entire period of her reign, the prime ministers of Great Britain managed to visit 13 people, from Winston Churchill to Teresa May. Also during this period, 12 US presidents and 6 Roman popes managed to change. Tony Blair was the first prime minister who was born already under her rule, in 1953.
5. The Queen and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, introduced a new custom for the court - regular lunches in a narrow circle with representatives of the common people from all classes and professions. This tradition has existed since 1956 to this day.
6. Over the past 60 years, the Queen has made 261 official visits to 116 countries.
7. Formally, the queen owns all sturgeon, whale and dolphin caught around the UK within about 5 km of the shore.
8. In 2010 there was a royal page on Facebook, in 2009 on Twitter, and on Youtube in 2007. The official site of Buckingham Palace was opened in 1997.
9. Elizabeth became the first British monarch to celebrate a diamond wedding.
10. Her real birthday is April 21, but official celebrations take place in June.
11. She gave about 90 thousand Christmas puddings serving the royal staff to employees, following the tradition of her grandfather and father. In addition, each of the employees receives a Christmas present from the queen.
12. Elizabeth learned to drive in 1945, when she served in the British army. But so far the queen has no driver's license, and she is the only person in the UK who is allowed to drive without having a driver's license or even a car registration plate.
13. Elizabeth has 30 godchildren and godchildren.
14. During the reign of the Queen posed for 129 portraits, 2 of which were with the Duke of Edinburgh.
15. During her reign in 1962, the Buckingham Palace Gallery was first opened to the public, where a collection of art belonging to the royal family was exhibited.
16. The Queen took the first man in space, Yuri Gagarin, the first woman in space, Valentina Tereshkova, and Neil Armstrong, the first person on the Moon, at Buckingham Palace.
17. She sent her first e-mail in 1976 with the British military base.
18. The queen had more than 30 dogs of Corgi breed, starting with a dog named Susan, which she received for 18 years.
19. The Queen owns an extensive collection of jewelry, some of which she inherited, and some are gifts. One of the most famous items in the collection is the world's largest pink diamond.
20. In 1998, Elizabeth introduced thematic days to popularize British culture. The first day was a city day, focused on financial institutions. In addition, there were days of publishing, tourism, music, young talents, British design, etc.
21. In 2002, in honor of the golden jubilee in the garden of Buckingham Palace, a grandiose concert was organized, broadcasting on television became one of the most ranking in the history - it was watched by about 200 million people around the world.
22. The Queen is fond of photography and often removes family members.
23. The Queen was the hostess of the exclusively female event "Achievements of Women" at Buckingham Palace in March 2004.
24. One day she fired a footman for giving her a whiskey dog.
25. She is the only monarch in the history of Britain who can easily change the spark plug since she passed a special training while serving in the army during the Second World War.
26. In 1992, the San newspaper printed the full text of the Queen's speech 2 days before the official release. As a fine, the newspaper had to donate 200 thousand pounds sterling to charity and bring a public apology.
27. The last British monarch celebrating a diamond anniversary (60 years of rule) was Queen Victoria, who at that time was 77. Thus, Elizabeth is the oldest monarch who celebrates her diamond anniversary, because she turned 90 this year.