Intriguing Tidbits About Prominent Monarchs That May Leave You Astounded
Trivia Time: Fascinating Facts About Royalty You Didn't Know!
Step right up, folks! Put on your royal crowns and feathered fascinators as we delve into a world of kings and queens you thought you knew. Turns out there's so much more to reigning monarchs from centuries past and today's headlines! Let's see what secrets the royal family has been keeping...
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark Draws for "The Lord of the Rings"
Who would've thought the Queen of Denmark is a hidden artsy fartsy who sent sketches to J.R.R. Tolkien, the mastermind creator of "The Lord of the Rings"? Talk about any-day convos at a party!
Charles II of Spain: An Unusual Family Tree
Ah, the Habsburgs, famed for their perplexing family trees. Charles II of Spain, the final Habsburg monarch, had quite a lineage due to a peculiar marriage, where his mother was his father's niece, his grandmother was his aunt, and his great-grandmother was, you guessed it, his grandmother! As you might expect, Charles had multiple genetic quirks, including a protruding jaw and a big tongue, making it hard for him to shut his trap! 😜
King David Kalākaua Jets Around the World
David Kalākaua, King of Hawaii, decided he wanted a taste of the world beyond his shores. So, in 1881, he set off on a 281-day adventure across 12 countries, promoting Hawaiian culture, immigration, and diplomatic relations. Naysayers back home grumbled that he was just highway robbin' some globetrottin' (but we're all cool with that, right? 😎).
Young Love: Lady Margaret Beaufort at 13 and the Birth of Henry VII
Oh, we love a good nail-biter! Lady Margaret Beaufort married Edmund Tudor at a mere 12 years old and, in the same year, gave birth to the first Tudor monarch, King Henry VII, at just 13! Who said age was a limit for royalty, eh?
Marie Thérèse, Queen of France for a Blink of an Eye
We're not saying she wasn't ready for her throne, but Marie-Thérèse only signed on as Queen of France for 20 minutes before Uncle and Father-in-law (Charles X) abdicated, leaving her to rule for all of 20 minutes! Maybe they thought it was time for a reality TV experiment.
The Danish Monarch Skips the Crown
In sharp contrast to other European royal houses, the Danish monarchy doesn't hold coronation ceremonies for their rulers; it's all about a proclamation from the Christianborg Palace balcony. Fredrik X, who became King of Denmark in 2024, surely appreciates not having a tiara stuck to his bonce!
Marie Antoinette Apologizes Before the Guillotine
You think the French Revolution was rough? Well, things were about to get really ugly for Marie Antoinette. At the tender age of 37, she faced the guillotine, and her final words? An apology to her executioner, just in case she accidentally stomped on his jim-jams!
King Charles III Gains a College Degree
Hey, university ain't just for commoners anymore! King Charles III bucked the royal tradition by attending Trinity College, Cambridge, and graduating in anthropology, archaeology, and history. Don't think we haven't noticed; a diploma never hurt anyone!
King George VI Competes at Wimbledon
Now here's a real sportsman! George VI, father of Queen Elizabeth II, used his leisure time to compete at Wimbledon in the men's doubles event. Sure, he and his partner lost in straight sets, but it's the taking part that counts, right?
Queen Elizabeth I Plasters on the White Stuff
Women in the Elizabethan era loved Soosh, the predecessor to makeup, as it was all the rage! Queen Elizabeth I herself powdered her face down to her girly bits with a thick mixture of white lead and vinegar. And, despite the health risks associated with continued use, they weren't puttin' a damper on the partying!
But wait, there’s more... Such as the well-traveled King Justinian II with the golden nose, the tattooed King Nicholas II, Alfonso XIII living it up in New Jersey, and many more royal tidbits!
So there you have it, folks. Now you've got the inside scoop on the royals. Share the love and impress your friends with your newfound royal knowledge! 👑🎉🤴🏻
[I] "15 surprising secrets about World Leaders by Adam Garrie." The Duran. June 30, 2019. Accessed February 14, 2023. [2] "50 Fascinating Facts About the British Monarchy." Royal Central. May 17, 2020. Accessed February 14, 2023. [3] "100 Interesting Facts: The Tudor Dynasty." Tudor Place. N.D. Accessed February 14, 2023. [4] "Why is Albert II of Belgium living on a farm?" Mental Floss. July 22, 2019. Accessed February 14, 2023. [*5] "Royal Crazy." St. Martin's Griffin. February 24, 2004.
An intriguing revelation about Queen Margrethe II of Denmark is her passion for arts, as she sent sketches to J.R.R. Tolkien, linking the Danish monarchy to the world of entertainment and literature.
Meanwhile, King George VI demonstrated a love for sports when he competed at Wimbledon, showcasing that royalty can enjoy a wide range of activities, including general-news worthy events such as tennis tournaments.
