Fact 1
Surname in honor of the castle
The family name Windsor originated relatively recently. During the First World War, the future grandfather of Elizabeth, King George V (a cousin of both Tsar Nicholas II of Russia and the last German Emperor Kaiser Wilhelm), who belonged to the German Sachsen-Coburg-Gotha dynasty, out of patriotic feelings demonstratively abandoned his German roots, taking the name Windsor after the castle in which the royal family lived at the time. The beginning of the Windsor family name should be considered 1917 - the age for the European monarchical dynasty is quite young. Before 1917, the members of the royal family had no family names: instead, they were replaced by the name of the royal house and the name of the lands owned by the dynasty. Therefore, kings and queens signed only the name.
Fact 2.
Elizabeth II chooses colors that are too bright
The Queen always chooses conservative traditional outfits, but the colors are so bright (fuchsia, lemon yellow, bright blue) that any other queen her age would probably not dare to wear them. Moreover, no one else in the royal family is allowed to choose the same bright colors.
"I can't wear clothes in beige because then no one would know who I am," is what Her Majesty once told a member of her staff.
Fact 3.
The Queen can travel the world without a passport
The Queen doesn't need a visa, she doesn't even need a passport. Moreover, when going on a trip, she may forget to take her British civilian passport with her, as it is issued in Her Majesty's name. According to the rules, she only needs to show a coin or a bill with her image at the passport control, but in reality no one demands it.
Fact 4.
The Queen has two birthdays.
One birthday is the official birthday, when it is customary to have a parade and popular festivities. It is traditionally celebrated with lavish outdoor festivities, so the choice of the exact date of the royal birthday party has always depended on weather conditions.
And the second day is the one on which she was actually born - April 21, 1926. Elizabeth II prefers to spend it in a small family circle. In 1981, during the Trooping the Colour ceremony on the Queen's official birthday, as she was riding her horse Burmese, six pistol shots rang out (it later turned out that the intruder was firing blank cartridges).
Fact 5.
Members of the royal family are not to be touched.
This is required by etiquette and is a well-known fact. Nevertheless, this rule is often violated, especially during meetings with celebrities and other public figures who do not like formalities.
Fact 6.
The Royal Family must accept absolutely all gifts
This rule is also prescribed by etiquette. The royal family must accept anything that is presented to them.
Fact 7.
Elizabeth II drives without a driver's license or license plates
This tradition began during World War II. At that time Elizabeth served as an ambulance driver. Since then she has been allowed to drive without license plates or documents. Such a privilege has been given to only one person in Britain - her. Eyewitnesses who have seen her driving assure us that she also does not wear a seatbelt.
Fact 8.
If you've ever sat at the same table with Elizabeth II, you probably know that as soon as the Queen has finished her meal and put away the cutlery, everyone, including members of the royal family, does the same, whether they have reached the dessert or have not yet had time to eat soup.
Fact 9.
The Duke of York, Prince Andrew, personally revealed this in 2008. The ban is related to the fact that members of the royal family are too gambling, and in the process, the game becomes too tough, which can lead to adverse consequences.
Fact 10.
The royal family has their own sources of income
Rumors that the royal family lives on welfare from the government do not correspond to reality. In fact, the royal family has quite substantial sources of income. Mostly funds come from the Duchy of Lancaster, where the royal family owns commercial, agricultural and residential real estate. The proceeds of the Duchy of Lancaster go to the treasury. This money covers the Queen's expenses, which are not covered by the sovereign grant. Elizabeth II also owns personal property, including Sandringham Palace in Norfolk, Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire and other smaller mansions. In addition, the Queen has her own share in Crown Property, which manages real estate in Britain and other assets of the monarchy that were transferred in 1760. By law, all the proceeds of Crown Ownership go to the Treasury and 15% are due to the Queen.
Elizabeth also has a personal collection of jewelry, a stamp collection, cars, horses, art collections, and the Queen Mother's legacy. The crown treasures do not belong to Queen Elizabeth - she uses them only by proxy, with no right to sell or gift them.
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