Whenever you think of the Queen, you surely think of the sweet old woman who tours around giving off pleasant waves, accompanied by her lovely corgis. However, Elizabeth II is much more than that! She is a total badass, and has proven this many times during her life. You may think that she doesn’t have the most significant of roles in the monarchy, but she has done a lot for England and the commonwealth during her time in power. Perhaps you’ve seen the Crown, but there are certain aspects of the show that have been exaggerated for entertainment purposes. Continue through this article and you will be amazed at some of the things the Queen has gotten up to during her tenure!
10 Times The Queen Showed Who Is Boss
Truck Mechanic
When war broke out, Elizabeth was still a minor spending her time learning. She didn’t attend regular school, she was instead tutored at Buckingham Palace. However, when she finally hit 18 in 1945, war was still active and she was insistent on doing her part. Elizabeth, princess at the time, worked for the Women’s Auxiliary Service as a mechanic and a truck driver. She was commissioned as an honorary second subaltern. Legendary!
Truck Mechanic
Defiant Nature
In 1947 at the young age of 21, Elizabeth married the love of her life, the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip. It was said that Elizabeth’s mother had hoped that she would marry someone more traditional, from an English background, a more English aristocrat-type. Philip was an alternative choice, however. He didn’t come from much money and didn’t have an upbringing so similar to Elizabeth. He was born in Greece but moved around during his youth. Elizabeth defied her parents desires though and insisted on marrying Philip. The two shared a lovely, long life together until the Prince’s eventual passing earlier this year.
Defiant Nature
Keeping Traditions
Elizabeth was very young when she married, so it was only natural she would take advice and counsel from certain advisors. One particular issue of importance was whether or not to take her husband’s last name. Since Philip has no last name, he eventually settled on Mountbatten, an anglicized version of Battenberg (his mother’s surname). After much deliberation (and advice from Prime Minister Winston Churchill) Elizabeth decided to keep her last name, Windsor, rather than taking Philip’s. The Queen agreed that she should honor the allegiance of both her father and grandfather to the house of Windsor, despite Philip’s objections.
Keeping Traditions
Taking On A Huge Role At A Young Age
Elizabeth was only 25 when her father suddenly died. George VI was only 56 years old at the time and was suffering from various illnesses. He had lung cancer as well as arteriosclerosis and Buerger’s disease. In final years, Elizabeth and new husband Philip had already taken on more royal duties to ease the pressure on George and the inevitable finally happened while Elizabeth and Philip were on a royal visit to Kenya. Her coronation was on June 2, 1953 and it was the first to be televised. 27 Million people tuned in to watch the young Princess become Queen.
Taking On A Huge Role At A Young Age
No Passport!
Did you know that Queen Elizabeth is the only British Citizen who doesn’t need a passport to travel? Yep, that’s right! It wouldn’t make sense for the Queen to have one since within the passport is the message, ‘Her Britannic Majesty’s Secretary of State requests and requires in the name of Her Majesty all those whom it may concern to allow the bearer to pass freely without let or hindrance and to afford the bearer such assistance and protection as may be necessary’. It wouldn’t exactly make sense for the Queen to issue herself permission to travel would it? Even all the other members of the Royal Family need to use one when they travel.
No Passport!
Resilience
In 1981, the Queen was riding horseback past crowds as a part of Trooping the Color. During the ride, a 17-year-old boy shot 6 blanks at Elizabeth as she rode. The horse was startled but the Queen kept her composure and calmed down her horse. The pair then went on to finish the rest of the march. This shows the Queen’s incredible character, that even after a scary event she can finish the job she started.
Resilience
Partial To A Drink
What we know for sure is that Queen Elizabeth enjoys an occasional drink. Who are we to judge, she’s the Queen! We have heard that her drink of choice is a cocktail of gin mixed with Dubonnet, topped off with a slice of lemon on the rocks. Rumors also say that she enjoys a glass of champagne at the end of the day, too.
Partial To A Drink
Swans
Did you know that the Queen owns all swans in England and Wales? This is the result of a medieval law created to preserve swans, which at the time were eaten often as a prized food at banquets. The reigning monarch was given the right to select who could eat one and even though swans aren’t eaten these days (becoming a protected species), the rule remains in place! In the picture below you can see her attending a ‘Swan Upping’.
Swans
007 London Olympics Skit
In 2012, London hosted that year’s Olympic Games. As a part of the opening ceremony, the Queen filmed a sketch alongside current James Bond, Daniel Craig, creating the illusion that she had parachuted into the stadium! We love this because it shows the Queen has a playful side to her. Craig even praised her acting, saying how she improvised excellently. He told the Daily Mirror how she was even calmer than him during filming! Amazing.
