- Did you know that Queen Elizabeth II has traveled to 120 countries without a passport?
When traveling overseas, Queen Elizabeth II does not require a British passport.
As all British passports are issued in the name of Her Majesty, it wouldn’t make much sense for her to issue herself one!
Other members of the Royal Family, such as the Prince of Wales, still require a passport to travel overseas.
With well over 60 million people living in the United Kingdom, the Queen is unable to issue such a large quantity of passports each year.
She now has several ministers working to issue all passports on her behalf to solve this issue.
The Queen traveled to over 120 different countries on almost 300 foreign trips; she’s certainly making the most out of being the only person in England who can travel passport-free!
- The Queen doesn’t need a driver’s license.
Like passports, British driving licenses are also issued in her name only. This means that she is able to drive without the need for a driver’s license.
She began driving when she was just 19 years old, back in 1945. Even at this young age, she knew her way around a car.
When she turned 18, she joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service during WWII and trained as a truck driver and a mechanic.
Although she is often driven around by selected members of her Royal staff now, it’s not uncommon for her to drive herself on her own private land or find a nice place to take her Corgies for a walk.
- The Queen is the only person to have the power to appoint the elected Prime Minister for the UK.
As the Head of State, Queen Elizabeth II must remain neutral on any political matters.
Whilst having the right to vote – or stand – in any election, she still maintains her neutral stance.
Why is this? The Queen is responsible for appointing the Prime Minister after a general election or resignation.
She chooses the candidate with the most support from the House of Commons.
During Queen’s reign, there have been 14 British Prime Ministers and 14 US Presidents, 13 of whom she has met in person.
- The Queen has the power to veto any bill passed through Parliament.
Parliamentary bills follow a strict path through the upper and lower houses, which conclude with royal assent.
This means that the Queen must approve a bill before it becomes law.
If she disapproves? It’s simple; it doesn’t become law!
Whilst Queen Elizabeth II can veto any bill that comes her way, an occasion has never arrived where she has needed to invoke her power.
- Queen Elizabeth II has the right to claim ownership of all unmarked mute swans swimming in open waters.
This one may sound a little odd compared to the rest of her powerful capabilities on this list, but it’s why we have chosen to include it!
The right to claim ownership of all unmarked mute swans in open waters can be dated back to the twelfth century! Back in these times, swans were often used as prized food, often served at banquets and feasts.
Back then, if you injured or killed a swan without permission from the monarch, you could face severe penalties for your actions.
Stealing a swan egg alone could land a hefty sentence of one year and a day in prison.
The monarch’s rights of ownership of swans were often granted to people by the monarch.
As of today, there are only three organizations that have retained their right of ownership of mute swans.
Abbotsbury Swannery was granted the right of ownership way back in the fourteenth century. Two London livery companies, the Vintners and the Dyers, have held similar rights since the fifteenth century.
Today swans are no longer eaten by the British public and have become a protected species. So you may be thinking, is this now a dead law? Well, not exactly.