15 Surprising Facts About the Royal Family You Probably Didn't Know!

Hello, history buffs and royal enthusiasts! Today, we're diving headfirst into the fascinating world of the British Royal Family. You might think you know all there is to know about Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Harry, and the rest of the Windsors, but hold onto your crowns, because we've dug up some surprising facts about the royal family that will make you raise an eyebrow or two! Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and fact about royal family.

The Royal Family: A Brief History

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let's set the stage. The British Royal Family, also known as the House of Windsor, has been ruling the UK for centuries. But it wasn't always called that. In fact, the family name was changed from Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to Windsor during World War I to distance themselves from their German roots. Interesting, right? Now, let's get to the fascinating facts that'll make you look at the royals in a whole new light!

The Queen's Coronation: A Secret Message

In 1953, Queen Elizabeth II was crowned at the age of 27. But did you know that her coronation dress held a secret message? The dress was designed by Sir Norman Hartnell and featured a pattern of flowers from each country in the Commonwealth. But hidden within the embroidery was the letter 'E' for Elizabeth, a subtle nod to the new monarch. Pretty clever, huh?

The Queen's Real Age

Speaking of the Queen, did you know that she was never meant to take the throne? Her father, King George VI, was only supposed to be a placeholder until his elder brother, Edward VIII, could have children. But Edward abdicated to marry Wallis Simpson, and suddenly, little Elizabeth found herself next in line. And the rest, as they say, is history. But here's a fun fact: the Queen was born on April 21, 1926, making her a Taurus. Who knew the royal zodiac was so interesting?

Prince Charles' Unique Title

Prince Charles, the Queen's eldest son, has a rather unique title. When he ascends to the throne, he plans to reign as King Charles III. But get this: he's also known as the Prince of Wales. But here's the kicker - the title isn't automatically his. It's a title given by the monarch to the heir apparent. So, once he becomes king, he'll have to give up the title of Prince of Wales. Talk about a downgrade!

The Queen's Pet Lovers

The Queen is well-known for her love of animals, particularly her beloved corgis. She's had over 30 corgis throughout her reign, and even has a few in her family tree. But did you know she also loves horses? In fact, she's such a fan that she's been breeding them since the 1960s. And get this - she's even ridden with the Household Cavalry on a few occasions. Now that's what we call a horse lover!

The Royal Family's Net Worth

We all know the royals have money, but did you know just how much? According to Forbes, the British Royal Family is worth an estimated $28 billion. That's right, with a 'b'. But here's the thing: the Queen doesn't actually own the Crown Jewels. They belong to the British people, and she's just in charge of them. Talk about a tough job!

The Queen's Favourite Food

Now, let's get real. Who doesn't love a good meal? And the Queen is no exception. But you might be surprised to learn that her favorite food isn't exactly what you'd expect. It's not caviar or foie gras - it's actually macaroni and cheese. Yes, you read that right. The Queen loves a good mac and cheese, and we can't blame her. Who among us doesn't love a cheesy, comforting classic?

The Royal Family's Secret Handshake

Now, this one's a bit more serious. The royal family has a secret handshake that they use to greet each other. It's a way to show respect and unity, and it's only used among family members. But here's the kicker: no one outside the family knows what it is. So, if you ever see Prince William and Prince Harry greet each other with a mysterious hand gesture, you know what's up.

The Queen's Love of Gin

Alright, let's lighten the mood a bit. Did you know that the Queen is a fan of a good G&T? In fact, she's such a fan that she reportedly drinks a gin and Dubonnet every day at 5 PM. And get this - she even has a special royal blend of Dubonnet made just for her. Now that's what we call a royal drink.

The Queen's Impressive Art Collection

The Queen is a bit of an art aficionado. In fact, she has one of the most impressive art collections in the world. It's estimated to be worth over $10 billion, and includes works by masters like Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, and Michelangelo. But here's the thing: the collection isn't actually hers. It belongs to the British people, and she's just the caretaker. Talk about a tough job, part two!

The Royal Family's Secret Instagram Account

Now, this one's a bit more modern. Did you know that the royal family has a secret Instagram account? It's run by an anonymous employee of Buckingham Palace, and it's dedicated to behind-the-scenes looks at the royal family's life. It's called @theroyalfamily, and it's got over 10 million followers. Talk about a royal selfie!

The Queen's Love of Driving

Here's another fun fact about the Queen - she loves to drive. In fact, she's been driving since she was a teenager, and she even has a license. She's been seen driving herself around the grounds of Windsor Castle, and even has a special car that she uses for the occasion. But here's the thing: she's not allowed to take her driving test. She's the Queen, after all - she makes the rules!

The Royal Family's Secret Sign Language

Now, this one's a bit more mysterious. The royal family has a secret sign language that they use to communicate with each other. It's a way to keep prying ears from listening in, and it's only used among family members. But here's the kicker: no one outside the family knows what the signs mean. So, if you ever see the Queen and Prince Philip communicating with their hands, you know what's up.

The Queen's Love of Fashion

The Queen is well-known for her love of fashion, particularly her colorful and sometimes eccentric hats. But did you know that she has a special hat maker? It's a woman named Rachel Trevor-Morgan, and she's been making hats for the Queen since 2004. In fact, the Queen has been known to wear one of Rachel's hats on official engagements. Talk about a royal fashionista!

The Queen's Impressive Memory

Here's one last fact about the Queen - she's got an impressive memory. She's been known to remember the smallest details about people she's met, and even their names. In fact, she's been known to greet people by name years after she's first met them. Talk about a memory like an elephant!

And there you have it, folks! 15 surprising facts about the royal family that'll make you look at the Windsors in a whole new light. From secret handshakes to love of mac and cheese, there's a lot more to the royal family than just crowns and castles. So, the next time you see the Queen on TV, you can impress your friends with your royal knowledge. You're welcome!

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