Queen Elizabeth II is a living British legend and icon. She officially became Britain's longest reigning monarch on September 9th. As if that's not cool enough, as of of April 21st, 2018, the Queen is 92 years old. She recently became the first monarch to celebrate her "sapphire jubilee", meaning that she's been on the British throne for 65 years!
Absolutely iconic. To celebrate, we've rounded up her most bada**** moments! Believe it or not, there were a lot of them.
When She Served In World War II
Even at a young age, the Queen knew that her duty was to her beloved country. Although she wasn't on the front lines, she contributed to the war effort by joining the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service and trained as a mechanic and truck driver.
She is in fact she only female member of the royal family to ever have joined to armed forces.
When She Married Prince Philip
Just like a British Romeo and Juliet, Elizabeth's family didn't want her to marry Philip Mountbatten, Prince of Greece and Denmark. The reasons were simple, he had little money, and he was thought of as an outsider since he was foreign-born. Royal historian Christopher Wilson told Express U.K.
"It was rather like Princess Diana when she first came into the royal compound. He wasn't 'one of us.' Philip didn't go to Eton, he didn't shoot and because he was Greek it was thought he might do something wrong at any moment."
How She Paid For Her Wedding Dress
True love at it's finest, no? The Queen decided to pay for the material with her dress with ration coupons, when she obviously could afford it.
She wore a satin gown designed by Sir Normal Hartnell, and she tied the knot on Nov. 20, 1947.
Keeping Her Name
Another badass thing you should know about the Queen is that she decided to screw tradition and keep her family name instead of taking her husband's.
In the end it was ultimately Elizabeth's choice, and we applaud her for being outside the box during a time where going against tradition was rare.
When She Played It Cool During her Attempted Assassination
Marcus Sarjeant, a 17 year-old fired six blank shots right in the Queen's direction during her birthday celebrations on June 13th, 1981. The guardsman and police stepped in before he could cause any harm, and although the Queen was startled, she simply just carried on through the parade rude unbothered.
AN ICON.
When She Was a Mother, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother
The Queen had four children with her husband, Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward. Despite this, she continued to work as a mother and rule Britain.
The website for the British Royal family says, "The Queen carries out all of her duties against the backdrop of a full personal life which has seen her raise four children and welcome grandchildren, and now great-grandchildren to the Royal Family. The Duke of Edinburgh has been – in her own words – her 'strength and stay' during her reign, whilst other members of the Royal Family continue to offer vital support through their work in the UK and overseas."
When She Travelled Without A Passport
Throughout her career as, you know the Queen, she has visited 116 countries in her career so far.
Apparently, she doesn't need a passport to travel since all passports are issued in her name.
When She "Skydived" into London's Olympic Stadium
Although she didn't skydive herself, her stunt double sure did! In 2012, she was apart of a sketch that aired at the beginning of London's Olympic Games' opening ceremony (like the Queen she is).
In the sketch, she was escorted by "James Bond" Daniel Craig, and they skydive down into their seat.
When She Joined Target Practice
During a 1993 visit to the National Shooting Centre in Surrey, this photo is incredibly real.
It also doesn't get more bada** than this.
When She Photobombed These Hockey Players
In 2014 at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the Queen (who was 87 at the time), decided to shock these ladies by photobombing them.
She Celebrates Two Birthdays
The Queen obviously doesn't celebrate just ONE birthday. Oh no, she celebrates TWO, and probably gets twice as many presents.
She was born April 21st, but her "official" birthday is half in early June on a Saturday, and she hits the town for the Trooping the Colour parade.
Her Coronation
When her father suddenly died on February 2nd, 1952, Elizabeth ascended the throne at the young age of 25. She kept her own name, Elizabeth as her regnal title.
Her coronation was the first to ever be televised on June 2nd, 1953, and 27 million people around the world were watching.
She Drinks
It's reported that the Queen apparently enjoys a cocktail of gin mixed with Dubonnet and a slice of lemon on the rocks everyday before lunch.
It's also reported that she ends her day with some champagne every night.
She Owns All The Swans In England
Queen Elizabeth owns all the (unclaimed) swans in England and Wales. This is because of a medieval law which used to preserve the delicacy for royals.
Pictured above is the "Swan Upping," in which the swans are counted every year.