Did You Know?

I'm watching Monarchy: The Royal Family right now on the BBC. Here's a running list of things I'm learning...

Did you know...

*Her Majesty's crown weighs 2.5 pounds? And is carried in an unmarked black box from the Tower of London to Buckingham Palace- taking a different secret route every time? And is only handled by one person- the crown jeweler, of course!

*The crown has been changed/modified slightly over the years for each coronation- for the Queen, it was made to look slightly more feminine- the arches were made smaller and they made it lighter-can you imagine something more than 2.5 pounds on your head?

*She tries the crown on the day before she is to wear it each time to make sure it's comfortable for her.

*There are secret passages in Buckingham Palace that the Queen travels through to get from her living quarters to the many rooms to greet people, etc.

*The State Opening every year- two carriages are needed- one for Her Majesty, one for her crown as they travel to Parliament.

*She is just stunning in her gown, red robe and sparkling crown!

*I just saw the Queen walk past a statue that I stood next to when we toured Buckingham Palace in September!!!!!

*Her corgies just run around the palace! I guess they are palace-trained.

*She always seems to have her black handbag on her arm. Even at home.

*She entertains all the time! There is always something going on at Buckingham- clergy, heads of state, diplomat visits, etc.

*At the end of each meeting or party- she presses a discreet button and the doors to that room are opened. Does that mean everyone is locked in?

*Her conversation over the years has been finely tuned- knowing just what to say/ask to everyone and how to keep the conversation flowing.

*There is a travel office in Buckingham Palace- in charge of Royal Transport! She owns a helicopter, that's it. If she flies, they hand pick the crew! Wow. (and it's obviouly a private charter flight!) They take out every other row of the aircraft to make it a bit more comfortable.

*She just shook hands with 92 guests at a state dinner. Smiling all the while!

*That I find all of this very interesting!


I wonder...

*how that 2.5 pound crown stays on her head! Especially with all her nodding.

*how the crown feels about having it's own carriage.

*if she carries her black handbag all the time because it's probably too far to walk back to her living quarters if she needs something.

*if she ever gets tired of smiling and waving and greeting people. Surely!

*why I didn't think to ask American Airlines to take out a few rows for a more comfortable flying experience to Dallas!