A királyi esküvő kapcsán sok szó esett a Brit Királyi családról, így azt hinnénk, hogy már mindent megtudtunk velük kapcsolatban, nincs új a nap alatt, és mégis. A médiát csak a királyi frigy foglalkoztatja, de pillantsunk csak a „kulisszák” mögé!
Meglepő tények kerülnek terítékre. :)

So much is talked about members of the British Royal Family that we may feel we know everything about them, even though we are always eager to learn more. However, there are quite a few facts we may have easily forgotten – or never known – about even the most prominent members of the British Royal Family.

In addition to the top ten facts:

Queen Elizabeth II is a 'constitutional monarch.’ This means that although she is officially the head of the state, the country is actually run by the government, led by the Prime Minister.

Alongside her other duties the Queen spends a huge amount of time travelling around the country visiting hospitals, schools, factories and other places and organisations.

Her Majesty the Queen's Official title in the United Kingdom is:
'Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland'.

Two Birthdays

Queen Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary) was born on 21 April, 1926 at 17 Burton Street, London. Her birthday is officially celebrated in Britain on the second Saturday of June each year. The day is referred to as “the Trooping of the Colour”, the official name is “the Queen’s Birthday Parade”.

Unusual gifts

A number of unusual birthday gifts given to the HM the Queen such as jaguars, sloths and beavers are now cared for by London Zoo, but she also felt very privileged to receive a pineapple, a box of snail shells, 7kg of prawns and some eggs.

Dargie Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II

Perhaps less so these days, but once virtually every school hall, government office, police station, RSL and library in Australia displayed a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. And that portrait was very likely to be a copy of the young Queen, painted just after her coronation in 1954 by renowned Australian artist Sir William Dargie.

Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle is an official residence of The Queen and the largest occupied castle in the world. The castle was the inspiration for the Royal family's surname.
William the Conqueror built the castle in 1080 and it has remained a royal palace and fortress for over 900 years. Windsor is the oldest royal home in Britain and, covering 13 acres, it's the largest castle in the world that is still lived in.
Each year, the Order of the Garter ceremony is held at Windsor Castle, and the Queen occasionally hosts a "dine and sleeps" for politicians and public figures.

The British Royal Family's surname is Windsor. They changed their name from Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to Windsor in 1917.

What is Queen Elizabeth's surname?

The Queen does not normally use a surname (she doesn't need a passport or a driving licence for example), but on the few occasions where it has been necessary, i.e. when serving with the ATS (Air Traffic Services) during World War II, she has used the surname 'Windsor'.

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is the Queen's official and main royal London home. It has been the official London residence of Britain's monarchy since 1837. Queen Victoria was the first monarch to live there.
Buckingham Palace is not only the home of the Queen and Prince Philip but also the London residence of the Duke of York (Prince Andrew) and the Earl and Countess of Wessex (Prince Edward and his wife) and their daughter.

Royal Parties

Every year, more than 50,000 people come to the Palace each year as guests to banquets, lunches, dinners, receptions, and Royal Garden Parties
Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms including 19 state rooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms.

Who is who?

Test yourself!

1) What it the surname of the Royal Family?
a) Buckingham
b) Windsor
c) Kensington

2) Which member of the Royal Family is next in line to the throne?
a) Prince Charles
b) Prince William
c) Prince Andrew

3) What’s the name of the Queen’s official residence in London?
a) The Tower of London
b) Buckingham Palace
c) Westminster House

4) How many people work full time in the Royal Household?
a) 245
b) 445
c) 645

5) Which member of the Royal Family died on 31st August 1997?
a) Lady Diana
b) The Queen Mother
c) Princess Margaret

6) Which sport do Prince Charles and his sons like to play?
a) Water polo
b) Golf
c) Polo

7) Which of the following things does the Queen not have?
a) Number plates on her cars
b) Money in her handbag
c) A vote at general elections

Answers

1) b
2) a
3) b
4) c
5) a
6) c
7) abc!

There are no number plates on the Queen’s cars, she never carries money with her and as Head of State she has to remain impartial to the different political parties.

Short vocabulary