 | | | Queen Elizabeth II |
April the 21st marks the 80th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II. She is one of the most famous women in the world but how much do you know about the British monarch? Did you know, for example, that the Queen is the 15th richest woman in the UK with an estimated fortune of £270 million? So, if you don’t know much about the head of the British Royal Family, here are some more interesting facts and figures. Queen Elizabeth II is the fortieth monarch since William the Conqueror won the crown in 1066. During her 54-year reign, she has made over 250 official visits to 129 different countries, including China in 1986. She has also hosted more than 90 state banquets for foreign dignitaries. On such official occasions the Queen often receives presents from foreign leaders. Amongst the more unusual presents she has been given are jaguars and sloths from Brazil, and black beavers from Canada. Other noteworthy visitors to Buckingham Palace include Russian cosmonaut, Yuri Gagarin, as well as the American astronaut and first man on the moon, Neil Armstrong. The Queen is a great animal lover and is known for her love of corgis. She is also a keen horsewoman and horse breeder whose horses have won major races. However, her relationship with Britain’s animals goes far beyond dogs and horses. According to an ancient statute, all sturgeons, whales and dolphins found in British waters belong to her, as do all swans in Britain’s rivers. In fact, the Queen is the only person in the UK who is legally permitted to eat a swan! The Queen traditionally sends a telegram of congratulations to centenarians on their hundredth birthday. Perhaps she will be sending herself one in twenty years time. Her family has a great history of longevity with the Queen’s own mother dying in 2002 at the age of 101. | 
