Fascinating facts about Queen Elizabeth II that show her remarkable life

Three years have passed since Queen Elizabeth II’s death, an event that ended a remarkable 70-years long era and ignited a new beginning for the British Monarchy.

Born April 21, 1926, London, England, she reigned from 1953 to 2022, and was the queen of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland.

Let’s get to know more about the Late Queen on her third death anniversary:

Unexpectedly became the Monarch

Elizabeth initially wasn’t expected to carry on the legacy as the Queen.

Her father George was only second in line to the throne, while his elder brother Edward VIII was presumed to continue the Royal family with his own children.

But when Elizabeth was only 10 years old, everything seemed to have changed in 1936. Edward gave up the throne to tie the knot with an American divorcee Wallis Simpson.

This sudden change of events allowed her father George to take on the role of the new King.

At the age of 25, Elizabeth became the Queen after her father passed away in February 1952.

A year later, on June 2, 1953, she was crowned to be the Queen. Her coronation was historic, drawing 8000 guests to Westminster Abbey and millions of viewers around the world tuning in to watch the first ever televised coronation.

Loves animals

Queen Elizabeth was quite fond of Corgis.

Her love for her first Corgi, Susan, was so deeply strong that she made the surprising decision to have it accompany her to her honeymoon with Prince Phillip.

But her love for animals didn’t end here. In fact, she also adored horses.

She was only three years old when she climbed onto a horse for horse riding lessons and continued to ride well into her 90s. And what began as a childhood hobby, grew into a passion and later left to a serious professional pursuit, earning her recognition as a successful racehorse owner.

And not to forget, but the Queen was also credited for introducing a new dog breed known as a "dorgi," a mix between corgi and dachshund.

Surprising family connection

Elizabeth and her husband, Philip, are distant relatives. They’re third cousins, and as third cousins they both shared Queen Victoria as an ancestor, Elizabeth through her paternal side and Philip through his maternal side.

Paid taxes

By tradition, Queens aren’t obliged to pay taxes, but Elizabeth voluntarily paid them anyway.

Although sovereigns are exempt from income tax and capital gains taxes, Elizabeth II had chosen to pay them voluntarily since 1993, as per the royal family's website.

Note to the Moon

In 1969, before the Apollo 11 moon landing, many world leaders contributed "messages of goodwill."

In her message, the Queen penned, "On behalf of the British people I salute the skill and courage which have brought man to the moon."

"May this endeavor increase the knowledge and wellbeing of mankind."