10 Lesser Known Facts About Queen Elizabeth II

7. What Interests The Queen?

FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA / POOL/epa/Corbis
FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA / POOL/epa/Corbis

The Queen has always had a keen interest in horses. Her grandfather, King George V gave her a Shetland pony called Peggy at the tender age of four years old. She became an accomplished horsewoman. Her passion grew to include horse breeding and she made three private trips to Kentucky to visit stud farms and stallion stations.

The Queen usually has over twenty horses in training every season. She regularly attends important annual race meetings such as the Derby and Royal Ascot where her horses have won on several occasions. Another passion is dogs, especially corgis and she's owned more than 30 starting with Susan given to her on her 18th birthday in 1944.

Most of her dogs are direct descendants of Susan. Perhaps less well known is her interest in racing pigeons: she is patron of the Royal Pigeon Racing Association. She is patron to rather a lot of other charities and organizations too €“ over 600. When not in the limelight the Queen enjoys reading novels, especially mysteries and is a keen crossword fan. Apparently, so it is rumored, she also likes watching wrestling on TV (not sure I believe that one).

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