Impossible to believe: 18 unexpected facts from the life of the royal family
'23.06.2020'
Source: Adme
Many would like to become part of the British royal family. The attention of the whole world, many servants, jewels, palaces and other joys of aristocrats - is not this a fairy tale? However, everyone forgets that being in full view of millions of people and constantly keeping a brand can be incredibly difficult. AdMe.ru publishes unique facts from the life of the British aristocracy.
1. Princess Diana was to play a major role in the 2nd part of The Bodyguard with Kevin Costner. A kiss scene was planned, but the film itself did not come out due to the tragic death of Lady Dee in 1997 in a car accident in Paris. In the story, the romantic relationship between the main characters is struck up when the bodyguard is instructed to protect the princess from the paparazzi.
2. When traveling, Elizabeth II and her son Charles are accompanied by a physician from the British Royal Navy, who must have a supply of their blood with them. This measure is necessary for emergency transfusion in case of emergency.
3. Shellfish, crab, lobster, shrimp, and garlic are banned in Buckingham Palace, as marine life is allergenic, and garlic has an unpleasant odor. However, only the queen adheres to this rule now.
4. Six ravens (and one spare) should always live in the Tower of London. According to one version, this rule is respected, since the prediction of the royal court astrologer-monk Charles II (1630–1685) reads: “If the crows leave the Tower, the kingdom will fall.” After the famous fire of 1666, almost all the birds were exterminated, but thanks to the prophecy of the ravens, they left in the care of the crown. They are considered part of the royal family, they have servants and a special raven caretaker, who is chosen from 38 members of the Yemeni ceremonial guard of the Tower ("bifiter"). In addition, the birds are officially enlisted in the ranks of the royal army.
5. Long before becoming part of the royal family, Kate Middleton lived with her family in Amman, Jordan. The father of the future duchess, Michael Middleton, worked as a manager for British Airways and, on duty, ended up in the Middle East. Then Kate was 2 years old, but she already went to kindergarten and, in addition to English, studied Arabic. Middleton lived in Jordan for almost 3 years.
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6. During the opening of a new session of Parliament, the Queen must take a hostage - one of the members of Parliament, who will be guarded by the staff of Buckingham Palace throughout the ceremony. This tradition appeared due to the fact that before the monarchs and parliament, to put it mildly, did not get along. Now everything is peaceful, but no one is going to change anything.
7. Queen Elizabeth II, then the 21-year-old Princess Elizabeth, on November 20, 1947, married Prince Philip in a wedding dress that was bought with coupons. She deliberately did not take advantage of her opportunities, since in the post-war period the whole country was slowly chosen from the ruins.
8. The crown of Elizabeth ll is nothing more than the diadem of King George IV, created in 1820 at the request of the king himself. It is adorned with 1 diamonds weighing 333 carats (320 g), including a 64 carat yellow diamond. Along the base are 4 strands of pearls. Initially, the upper thread had 2 pearls, and the lower - 86, but in 94 the number of pearls was changed to 1902 and 81.
9. To avoid embarrassment in windy weather, all hem skirts of Queen Elizabeth II are weighed down by small loads.
10. The Queen became the first monarch in history to send an email, having done so already in 1976.
11. Initially, the princes of William and Harry should have been called Arthur and Albert, as their father Charles wanted, but Lady Diana insisted on William and Harry, though Arthur and Albert are the middle names of the princes.
12. Queen Elizabeth II the godmother for 30 crowned godchildren and this is not the limit.
13. Kate Middleton is a relative of George Washington.
14. At Christmas, the royal family decided to give funny gifts. For example, Meghan Markle handed the queen a toy singing hamster. But in addition to the fun, the royal couple - Elizabeth II and Prince Philip - must remember their duty. They send about 750 Christmas cards to heads of state, leading politicians, leaders of the Commonwealth and family members.
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15. Before and after Christmas dinner, all members of the royal family must weigh themselves. This long tradition was introduced by King Edward VII around 1900. He was very worried that someone would go hungry after a luxurious welcome.
16. The Queen has the right to dissolve the current parliament both in Britain, and in Australia and Canada.
17. Princess Diana arranged for her son, Prince William, an incredible 13th birthday surprise. Since the boy was in love with supermodel Cindy Crawford, she invited her to a festive tea party.
18. The most unusual titles that Elizabeth II holds are the Duke of Lankanster and the Duke of Normandy.
