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Trophies, popes, ponies: In her 70 years in office, Elizabeth II experienced many impressive and surprising things. 7 facts about the 70th anniversary.
Record Queen: Already seven years ago, Elizabeth II became the longest reigning monarch in British history. Winston Churchill was Prime Minister when she took office, and 13 of his successors have since served under her. There have also been 14 US Presidents during this period (all but one of whom Elizabeth II met in person) and 7 Popes (of whom she met 4).
Globetrotter: None of her predecessors traveled as often as Elizabeth II. She has made 150 visits to the Commonwealth alone. In total, she has traveled to over 100 countries, most often in Canada (22 times) and France (13 times). Although Elizabeth II travels so much, she doesn’t have a passport or a driver’s license – as Queen she doesn’t need them.
Legend:
Elizabeth II also visited Switzerland. In 1980 she was a guest in Wimmis, among other places.
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Busy art collector: The royal collection is said to contain over a million works: 168,000 paintings and drawings, 200,000 photographs, 300,000 decorative objects and 200,000 books.
animal lover: The queen has owned more than 30 dogs so far. Most of her corgis and dorgis are descendants of her first dog, Susan, who was given to her in 1944 for her 18th birthday. Elizabeth II was given her first pony, named Peggy, by her grandfather George V. She has also been given far more exotic animals, including jaguars, sloths, beavers and an elephant. Most of these animals ended up in a zoo. In addition, since the 12th century, all of the unmarked mute swans in a certain stretch of the Thames have been owned by the British royal family.
Legend:
Not all animals enjoy the protection of the Queen: Elizabeth in 1961 on a big game hunt in Nepal, where a tiger and a rhino were shot.
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Dear hostess: Queen Elizabeth II has received 112 state visits to England so far. And she has hosted over 180 garden parties for 1.5 million guests during her reign.
TV icon: With one exception, Elizabeth II has given a Christmas speech on TV every year of her reign. She set her personal TV ratings record in 1966. Back then, 32.3 million people watched Elizabeth II present the World Cup trophy to England’s Captain Bobby Moore. It should remain the last English World Cup triumph to this day.
Popular subject: Elizabeth II has posed (or sat) for over 200 official portraits. And her profile graces coins in 35 countries.