Hello ladies and gents this is the Viking telling you that today on this sad day that we are talking about
The late Queen Elizabeth II
Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II has died aged 96 at Balmoral Castle, Buckingham Palace announced on Thursday 8th September 2022. We are deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty and extend our heartfelt sympathy to the Royal Family.
While we pause for thought, here are some facts about the Queen's incredible life:
The Queen bought her wedding dress with WWII ration coupons
According to British Heritage, the Queen purchased the material for her wedding dress using ration coupons and had to return donations from women around the UK.
The Queen's first horse was called Peggy
The Queen was given her first horse, a Shetland pony called Peggy, by her grandfather King George V, and has been riding them ever since.
The Queen has owned over 30 Corgis in total
We know the Queen loves Corgis, but did you know she has owned over 30 across her life?
"Her Majesty the Queen is a fantastic dog trainer," Roger Mugford, the Queen's former Corgi trainer previously told Country Living. "When I visited her, she had nine dogs and they were incredibly well controlled, well managed and obedient."
The Queen didn't need a license to drive
The Queen was the only person in the UK who does not need to have a driver's license in order to drive on public roads.
The Queen studied constitutional history and law
After her father became King in 1936, Princess Elizabeth began studying constitutional history and law. Her Majesty also studied French, German and music when she was educated at home.
The Queen could speak fluent French
According to Express, the Queen is likely to have learned French as a small child from her tutor and governess, Marion Crawford. When visiting France, the Queen would always speak the language.
She was better travelled than any British monarch before her
According to the official Royal Family website, Her Majesty was better travelled than any British monarch before her. Within the Commonwealth alone, she has made over 150 visits during her reign.
She volunteered as a truck driver during World War II
Before she became Queen Elizabeth, Princess Elizabeth volunteered as a truck driver and mechanic during World War II. This made her the first female member of the royal family to serve in the military.
Her Majesty carried out more than 21,000 engagements
The Queen carried out more than 21,000 engagements over her 70-reign.
The Queen has sat for over 200 official portraits
Her Majesty has sat for a whopping 200 official portraits over her lifetime. The first one ever taken was in 1933, when she was just seven-years-old by Anglo-Hungarian artist Philip Alexius de Laszlo.
Her Majesty made her first radio broadcast aged 14
The Queen might be known for her radio and television broadcasts, but she first spoke on the radio aged just 14.
Speaking about children being evacuated, she said on BBC's Children's Hour: "I can truthfully say to you all that we children at home are full of cheerfulness and courage. We are trying to do all we can to help our gallant sailors, soldiers and airmen, and we are trying, too, to bear our own share of the danger and sadness of war."
Her Majesty has travelled to more than 100 countries
Impressively, the Queen has travelled to more than 100 countries during her reign. She has been to Canada 22 times and France 13 — more than any other country in Europe.
The Queen's first Christmas broadcast was in 1952
After her Accession on 6th February 1952, the Queen broadcast her first Christmas Message live on the radio from her study at Sandringham, Norfolk.
The Queen opened Sydney Opera House
The Queen opened the now-iconic Australian landmark, Sydney Opera House, on 20th October, 1973.
And as always have a chilled day from the Viking
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