Here are 21 Queen Elizabeth facts for kids to remember our extraordinary Queen.
Children have been leaving charming tributes to Her Majesty at Buckingham Palace and across the country since she died. Paddington Bear teddies and colourful drawings have piled up among the bunches of flowers left around the Palace and nearby Hyde Park and Green Park.
A huge number of cards left by children had the same, simple message: ‘You were the best Queen’.
After checking out these facts you’ll be well prepared for our Queen Elizabeth Quiz for Kids!
Queen Elizabeth II facts for kids:
1. The Queen was crowned in Westminster Abbey
The coronation of Elizabeth II took place on 2 June 1953 at Westminster Abbey in London. She acceded to the throne at the age of 27 upon her father’s death, George VI, on 6 February 1952, being proclaimed Queen by her privy and executive councils shortly afterwards.
2. The Queen used the Gold State Coach on the day of her coronation in 1952
The Gold State Coach is an enclosed, eight-horse-drawn carriage used by the British Royal Family for important occasions such as coronations. Commissioned in 1760 by King George III, it was built in the London workshops of Samuel Butler and completed in 1762.
3. The corgis were the Queen’s favourite dog breed
The Queen got her first ever corgi, a pup called Dookie, in 1933. Since then, she has been an ardent lover of the dog breed and was often seen with her furry friends over her 70-year reign. During her 96-year lifetime, the Monarch had over 30 corgis, many of which she bred herself.
4. Buckingham Palace was the Queen’s official London residence
Buckingham Palace has served as the official London residence of the UK’s sovereigns since 1837 and today is the administrative headquarters of the Monarch.
5. The Queen’s favourite castle was Balmoral in Scotland
Balmoral Castle in Scotland, where Queen Elizabeth spent her summer holiday, was widely thought to be the Monarch’s favourite residence. “I think Granny is the happiest there. I think she really, really loves the Highlands,” described her granddaughter, Princess Eugenie.
6. The Queen’s crown jewels were stored in the Tower of London
The Crown Jewels have been stored and displayed at the Tower of London since 1661, continuing a long tradition of keeping precious objects here.
7. The Queen enjoyed horse racing more than anything else
As one of the most prominent British owner-breeders of thoroughbred horses, The Queen enjoyed many high-profile successes over the years with a wide range of trainers and jockeys. She won every Classic except the Derby at Epsom, as well as cheering home 24 Royal Ascot winners in the famous purple and red royal silks.
8. The Queen was a mechanic in the armed forces during World War 2
The Queen joined the British military when she turned 18. She joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) as a mechanic. “She started as a second subaltern in the ATS and was later promoted to Junior Commander, the equivalent of Captain,” noted the World War II Museum. The ATS was not a ceremonial unit.
9. The Queen’s wake-up music at Balmoral was bagpipe playing
According to Tatler, the Queen began every morning at Balmoral with a bagpipe playing for fifteen minutes outside her window (casual) – throughout her 70-year reign.
10. Coronation chicken became one of the UK’s most popular dishes
The original dish served in honour of the Queen’s coronation can be found on the menu as Poulet Reine Elizabeth, which in today’s world translates to Coronation Chicken. It is described as chicken, boned and coated in curry cream sauce, with one end of each dish, a well-seasoned salad of rice, green peas and pimentos.
11. All the swans in England belonged to the Queen
The Royal swans are no longer marked, but an unmarked mute swan on the Thames was regarded as belonging to the Queen by default. The Queen maintained an officially-appointed Swan Keeper, and the ceremony took place on the Monday of the third week in July.
12. The Queen usually had Special K for breakfast
Queen Elizabeth prefered to keep it simple when it came to breakfast. A bowl of Special K with some assorted fruits was her go-to meal to get the day started the right way.
13. The Queen’s favourite hot drink was Earl Grey Tea
According to former royal chef Darren McGrady, the Queen loved nothing more than afternoon tea – and with it, she enjoyed a boiling hot cup of Earl Grey. Speaking to Coffee Friend shortly before the Platinum Jubilee, Darren said: ‘The Queen loved afternoon tea, I would say it’s probably one of her favourite meals.’
14. The Queen was the head of state of 32 independent countries
The number of states headed by Queen Elizabeth II varied during her 70 years on the throne, altogether seeing her as sovereign of a total of 32 independent countries, including Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
15. The Queen spent Christmases on Sandringham
The Queen and her family spent Christmases at Sandringham, a 20,000-acre country estate in Norfolk in Eastern England.
16. The Queen exchanged Christmas gifts on 24 December
The Queen and the Royal Family exchanged gifts on Christmas Eve (rather than Christmas Day, which is normal in Britain), keeping with the family’s continental heritage.
17. The Queen and Paddington Bear became great friends
In honour of her Platinum Jubilee in June, the Queen even acted in a skit with the beloved character — the two are seen having tea and discussing their love of marmalade sandwiches.
18. The Queen had many things named after her, including a train line, an airport terminal and a park.
The list of things named after Queen Elizabeth II is long and includes famous places such as Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 2, The Elizabeth Line and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
19. The public can see the Queen’s coffin in Westminster Hall
After the Queen’s coffin was flown down from Scotland, it progressed to Buckingham Palace and then to Westminster Hall. This is the oldest part of the Palace of Westminster, and the closed coffin will be on view to the public.
20. The Queen’s funeral takes place in Westminster Abbey
The Queen’s state funeral will take place at Westminster Abbey at 11 am on Monday, 19 September. The abbey is the historic church where Britain’s kings and queens are crowned, including the Queen’s coronation in 1953.
21. The Queen will be laid to rest at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle
The Queen will ultimately be laid to rest within St. George’s Chapel, on the grounds of Windsor Castle, alongside her “strength and stay” of 73 years, Prince Philip.
Thank you Ma‘am, for everything.
Paddington Bear
Next step: Take the Queen Elizabeth Quiz for Kids
Also, don’t forget to check our Queen Elizabeth colouring page!