5 Secret Powers Of Queen Elizabeth II You Should Be Beware Of
She truly is the reigning supreme over animals and people alike!
The Queen has been in rule longer than any other Monarch in British history and has become a much-cherished figure throughout the world. Her time as Queen has taken her to more places across the globe than any other previous ruler, securing her some of the most significant visits for the history books. But as well known as the Queen is, we have listed here some of her less known powers.
1- She is the in-real-life Swan Queen
As stated by the official webpage of the Royal Family, the Queen owns all unclaimed swans in an open body of water, but she has decided to exercise her ownership only on certain portions of the Thames and its tributaries.
Every year there is a census of the swan population during which they are caught, marked, and then set free again. The ceremony is given the name “Swan Upping” and extends over a period of 5 days. The swan uppers travel upriver in six boats, dressed in proper attire along with the official swan marker. As the Royal Family website reports:
“The swans are also given a health check and ringed with individual identification numbers by The Queen’s Swan Warden, a Professor of Ornithology at the University of Oxford’s Department of Zoology.”
2- She doesn’t require a driver’s license
Whereas the rest of the country holds licenses in her name, she can legally drive her car without it and even a number plate!
In World War II, the Queen acquired the skills required to operate a vehicle when she drove a first-aid truck for the Women’s Auxilary Territorial Service. As a part of this training, she also learned how to change a spark plug.
In an interview with Sunday Times, the former British Ambassador Sherard Cowper-Coles recounted when the Queen drove around Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, “As instructed, the crown prince climbed into the front seat of the Land Rover, with his interpreter in the seat behind. To his surprise, the Queen climbed into the driving seat, turned the ignition, and drove off. Women are not — yet — allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia, and Abdullah was not used to being driven by a woman, let alone a queen.”
Her fearlessness seemed to scare the Crown Prince as they flew like the wind through the estate’s roads. It is reported that the Prince asked via his interpreter for the Queen to slow down.
3- No passport? No problem!
Along with not requiring a driver’s license, the Queen also does not need a passport to travel! Though she has been abroad countless times on trips of extreme importance, she has done them all without the hassle of carrying a passport!
4- Two Birthdays
When you’re the reigning Queen, you get double the fun. The Queen’s actual birthday while on April 21st is celebrated officially on a Saturday in June.
The Royal Mint reports, “Official celebrations to mark a sovereign’s birthday have often been held on a day other than the actual birthday, particularly when the actual birthday has not been in the summer.”
But both birthdays are celebrated stylishly. In April it is marked at midday by gun salutes in Central London including “a 41-gun salute in Hyde Park, a 21-gun salute in Windsor Great Park, and a 62-gun salute at the Tower of London.
In 2006, Her Majesty celebrated her 80th Birthday 2006 with a walkabout in the streets outside of Windsor Castle to meet well-wishers.” according to the official royal family website.
While in June she “is joined by other members of the Royal Family at the spectacular Trooping the Colour parade, which moves between Buckingham Palace, The Mall, and Horseguards’ Parade,” to celebrate her official birthday.
5- Knights in Shining Armor
Annually a list of nominees is presented to the Queen and from among those she chooses the most well suited to become her knights. This honor is usually given to prominent names in British society, they can be businessmen, artists, military men/women, or from any other field. For his brilliant services in the music world, Paul McCartney was knighted in 1997 at Buckingham Palace.
If someday you see a lady driver who resembles “Queen Elizabeth II”, be not shocked for she can certainly be our very own Queen! So many perks and powers that come with being the Queen, which one was new for you? And which one do you think is the handiest? Lets us know!
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