Before The Crown – 5 times Queen Elizabeth stunned the world with her brazen wit and royal swagger
She’s the longest-lived British monarch, longest-serving female head of state, and longest-reigning current monarch, but Queen Elizabeth is more than a just a royal – as these 5 jaw-dropping moments prove
As the head of the Commonwealth and queen regent of seven independent countries, Queen Elizabeth holds many titles. She’s the longest-lived British monarch, the longest-serving female head of state, and the longest-reigning current monarch – a legend in her own right.
However, her age and reign are only parts of her accomplishments. Her sharp political acumen, moral support for the public and empathy for others has made her one of the most revered and respected leaders in the world.
In 2016, The Crown, a television series on Netflix, dramatised her younger years and early reign as queen in the first season. Although she needs no introduction, the historical drama pushed her even further into mainstream fame, and a younger audience across the globe began to view the ageing monarch in a new light.
She assumed the throne in 1952 – a time when remnants of the second world war permeated throughout Britain. Seven decades later, despite her age, Queen Elizabeth shows no sign of stopping. We list five of her coolest moments, proving that Britain’s longest-reigning monarch can throw shade when it suits her.
1. When she treated her attempted assassination like it was no big deal
What do you do when someone attempts to shoot you? Keep calm and carry on, just like the queen.
In 1981, a 17-year-old named Marcus Sarjeant tried to fire six shots directly at the queen during a royal tour in New Zealand (the bullets turned out to be blanks). The police and royal guardsmen were able to secure the vicinity and quickly apprehend and arrest the teenager. The queen was reportedly startled at first, but she maintained her composure, soothed her horse and proceeded to continue as if nothing happened.
2. Queen Elizabeth served in World War II
If there’s one thing that US President Donald Trump can accurately claim, it’s about the role of Queen Elizabeth during World War II. At a lavish banquet at the Buckingham Palace, he pointed out: “In April 1945, newspapers featured a picture of the queen mother visiting the women’s branch of the army, watching a young woman repair a military truck engine. That young mechanic was the future queen – that great, great woman.”
Queen Elizabeth was ahead of her times and her bravery to serve at the height of the war was somehow a sign that she was destined to lead. In February 1945, when the brunt of the war was still palpable in Europe, she joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service as a subaltern and trained as a truck mechanic and driver, according to the Royal Collection Trust.