Friday Fun Facts About The British Royal Family

Queen Elizabeth II (Photo by John Stillwell - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

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Sometimes it’s hard for Americans to comprehend a King and Queen getting that job as an accident of birth.

Sort of being Bill Gates kid but you never really have to do much other than wave to your adoring subjects and just be you.

Here are a few facts you may not have known about the British Monarchy.

Fun Facts About The British Royal Family

In 1936 Edward VIII abdicated the throne of England to marry Wallis Simpson. That’s real love. His younger brother Bertie became King George VI and the father of the current queen of England – Queen Elizabeth II. Since he gave up the throne Queen Elizabeth II was crowned in 1952 instead of the death of Edward in 1972.
The last king to lead an army in battle was George II during the War of Austrian Succession in 1743. Richard III was the last English king to die in battle during the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485. Henry Tudor defeated Richard and became Henry VII. The last British king to die in battle was James IV of Scotland killed in 1513.
Queen Elizabeth II is the 32^nd great granddaughter of King Alfred who ruled 1,140 years ago as the first King of England (871-899).
While we declared our independence from England in 1776 it was not until 1783 that we signed the Treaty of Paris before we were truly free.
King George III went a little nuts in 1788 and was certified unfit to rule in 1810. There is a theory that an inherited blood disease called Porphyria.
Royalty is not without it’s philanders. Edward, who married Wallis Simpson, had several women on the side and Wallis was married to her second husband during their affair.
In 1772 The Royal Marriages Act we enacted that requires members of the Royal family to obtain permission to marry. Queen Elizabeth II gave permission for both Charles to marry Camilla and for Prince William to marry Catherine Middleton.
Queen Elizabeth II passed Queen Victoria as the longest reigning monarch on September 10, 2015 at the age of 89. Victoria lasted 63 years, 216 days from 1837-1901.

Some Final Thoughts

English history must be really tough for students over there. Look at all the trouble we have with just 239 years of history.

There is at least one fact that might make people feel that the Queen Elizabeth II is just like them. She pays taxes just like any other British subject.

Prince Charles, the next in line is 66, and unless Elizabeth either dies or abdicates he’s going to be one of the oldest kings to take the throne in British history.

I wonder how much he wants to be king or will he abdicate so the much younger Prince William can get a shot? Comments below