Queen Elizabeth II created history in 2022 when she became the first British monarch to rule for 70 years. Despite the fact that so much has been written about the world’s longest-reigning living monarch; there are still a few things that are very little known. On the occasion of the Platinum Jubilee, here are 6 interesting facts about Queen Elizabeth II.
6 interesting facts about Queen Elizabeth II
1. No formal education
Heir potential does not attend a primary school like other students. Instead, Elizabeth received education at home from several tutors. It included Henry Marten, vice-provost of Eton College (which is still for boys only), and the Archbishop of Canterbury gave her special religion lectures.
2. The first monarch to open Parliament in Canada
Queen Elizabeth II became the first royal to inaugurate a term of Canada’s Parliament in person on October 14, 1957. She gave the Speech from the Throne, which is generally done by the governor-general, her representative in Canada. The Queen remarked on the historic moment in her 1957 Christmas broadcast.
3. Most well-traveled monarch in history
The Queen’s family traveled frequently throughout the British Empire and then the Commonwealth, however, she retains the record for the most places toured by a sovereign which includes over 120 countries on six continents.
4. Queen Elizabeth II served in World War II
Queen Elizabeth II is the only female representative of the royal family to have participated in the military, and she is the only surviving head of state who served in World War II. Despite the dangers, Elizabeth enlisted in the women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service in 1945, while she was 18 years old, and qualified as a truck driver and technician.
5. The first monarch to have a televised coronation ceremony
Following the demise of her father, King George VI, on February 6, 1952, Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne. Her crowning took place in Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953. The coronation liturgy, which dates back to 973, is over 1,000 years old, but the 1953 event featured a new novelty. Television cameras were allowed into Westminster Abbey for the first time to photograph the rites. The coronation was seen by nearly 277 million people throughout the world on television; many people bought their first television set for the occasion.
6. Queen Elizabeth II doesn’t need a passport to travel
Elizabeth II is the world’s most traveled sovereign. Having visited more than 120 nations during hundreds of official state visits, However, she doesn’t need a passport. This is because all British passports are legally in the Queen’s name.