The Truth About Elizabeth II Trivia Quiz

Answer: True

In 1945, aged 18, Princess Elizabeth joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), the women's branch of the British Army. She received training as a driver and mechanic, learning how to operate and maintain military vehicles, including trucks and ambulances, as well as how to perform basic engine repairs. This made her the first female member of the royal family to serve in the armed forces.

Her enlistment was not merely ceremonial; she wore the standard ATS uniform, took military drills seriously, and contributed actively to the war effort in the final months of the Second World War. Her service reflected both a sense of personal duty, as well as the desire of the monarchy to connect with the public during this challenging period in British history.

Answer: True

Elizabeth II spoke French fluently, a skill she often used in diplomatic and state contexts. From a young age, she was educated in multiple languages, and French was considered essential for royal protocol and international relations. She frequently addressed French-speaking audiences in their native language during speeches and during visits abroad, and she also used French during state banquets and formal ceremonies.

Her fluency was not just conversational. The Queen could discuss political and cultural topics with precision, demonstrating respect and understanding of French culture. This skill helped strengthen the United Kingdom's diplomatic relations with French-speaking countries and was a notable aspect of her global image as a cosmopolitan monarch.

Answer: False

Although Queen Elizabeth II was not fluent in Scottish Gaelic, she was familiar with the language and would occasionally use simple phrases during visits to Scotland. Her education focused on French and other languages useful for diplomacy, and Gaelic was not included in her formal training. However, she spoke the Doric dialect of Scots, which is common in north-east Scotland, with locals in the Balmoral region.

Nevertheless, she showed respect for Scottish culture and traditions, participating in ceremonies such as the annual Braemar Highland Games and addressing Scottish audiences appropriately. The misconception that she spoke fluent Gaelic probably stems from her visible engagement with Scottish heritage and her frequent visits to Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, where Gaelic forms part of the local culture.

Answer: True

On 26 March 1976, Queen Elizabeth II became the first monarch to send an email. During a visit to the Royal Signals and Radar Establishment, a telecommunications research centre in Malvern, England, she used the ARPANET computer network - the precursor to the modern internet - to announce a new programming language developed by the Ministry of Defence.

Computer scientist Peter Kirstein set up her account, "HME2", and guided her through sending the message by pressing a few buttons. A photograph of the event shows the Queen typing on an old-fashioned computer. She signed the email informally as "Elizabeth R", a sign-off that she has continued to use in all subsequent digital communications.

Answer: False

Contrary to what some might assume, Queen Elizabeth II did not attend a prestigious boarding school such as Cheltenham Ladies' College, which educated the daughters of wealthy and aristocratic families. Instead, she received a private education at home from a series of tutors, including her mother, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, and governesses. She studied subjects such as history, languages, literature, mathematics, constitutional law, music, art and etiquette, all of which were designed to prepare her for her future role as monarch.

This home-based education allowed for a highly personalised approach and accommodated her early royal duties. Although Cheltenham Ladies' College was a prestigious institution, Elizabeth's upbringing emphasised personalised learning and direct preparation for her future role as Queen.

Answer: True

Queen Elizabeth II was renowned for using her handbag to send subtle signals to her staff during public events and engagements. For example, she could discreetly indicate to a staff member that she wished to end a conversation and be escorted away by shifting the bag from one arm to the other. Leaving her handbag on the floor was an urgent signal that she was feeling uneasy and needed to leave immediately.

Leaving her handbag on a table during a dinner or event meant that she wanted the engagement to end within five minutes. These carefully calibrated non-verbal cues enabled the Queen to manage public interactions with grace, maintain protocol, and exit unwanted conversations smoothly.

Answer: False

Contrary to popular belief, Queen Elizabeth II never owned a private island in the Caribbean. Instead, her residences were located in the United Kingdom and included Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Sandringham House and Balmoral Castle. While the British monarchy has historically held territories across the Commonwealth, including in the Caribbean, these have been governmental or ceremonial rather than personal.

The idea of the Queen owning a tropical private island is a common misconception, likely fueled by media portrayals of royal luxury. In reality, however, her personal property consisted of estates within the UK and official royal residences used for state duties. She never possessed any private lands outside Britain.

Answer: True

During her time in the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) in 1945, Elizabeth received mechanical training and was trained as a driver and mechanic. She learnt to drive various military vehicles, including trucks and ambulances, and mastered basic engine maintenance and repair - a rare skill for a woman of her age and social standing at the time. Her training was hands-on and rigorous, reflecting the practical demands of wartime service.

Later in life, the Queen would occasionally demonstrate her driving and mechanical expertise at public events, showcasing the practical skills she had acquired through her early training that transcended her traditional royal upbringing. This hands-on experience contributed to her reputation as a monarch who valued duty, competence and service.

Answer: False

Queen Elizabeth II was not born in Windsor Castle. Instead, she was born at 17 Bruton Street in Mayfair, London, on 21 April 1926. She was delivered at home, as was common for royal births at the time, with a doctor and nurse in attendance. Interestingly, her birthplace is now home to the swanky Cantonese restaurant Hakkasan, which is featured in numerous fine dining guides and has been awarded a Michelin star - perhaps the Queen would have enjoyed ordering a takeaway there!

The misconception that she was born in Windsor Castle may arise from the fact that it is a well-known royal residence closely associated with the monarchy. However, Elizabeth's early life began in central London.

Answer: False

Queen Elizabeth II was never Empress of India. Queen Victoria first used the title in 1876, following the formal transfer of power from the East India Company to the British Crown after the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Elizabeth's grandfather, King George V, also held the title "Emperor of India" during the British Raj. However, the title ended in 1947, when India gained independence and became a republic.

Elizabeth II ascended the throne in 1952, five years after India's independence, so she never held the title. Although she briefly became the Queen of India's successor states during the transition within the Commonwealth, the formal title of Empress of India had already been abolished by this time. This misconception likely arises from the historical connection between the British monarchy and India, but does not apply to Elizabeth II.