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Queen Elizabeth II's Record Breaking Reign In 10 Lesser-Known Facts

Ten Lesser-Known Facts About Britain's Longest Reigning Monarch
Sara C Nelson
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On Wednesday, Queen Elizabeth II became Britain’s longest reigning monarch.

With a whopping 63 years under her belt, the 89-year-old beat the record set by her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria who, Buckingham Palace has calculated, reigned for 23,226 days, 16 hours and 23 minutes.

Elizabeth's lengthy reign is memorable for a raft of political and social factors – and these lesser known facts…

Queen Elizabeth in ten facts
Nicknames (01 of10)
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The Queen's childhood nickname was “Lilibet” on account of the fact she was unable to pronounce Elizabeth. She is pictured here as Princess Elizabeth in 1928. (credit:Getty )
Cash (02 of10)
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Her Majesty banks at Coutts and handily, there is a Coutts cash machine at Buckingham Palace. (credit:Getty )
Passports (03 of10)
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Despite being a life-long globe trotter, the Queen does not have a passport. The official website of the British monarchy states: “As a British passport is issued in the name of Her Majesty, it is unnecessary for The Queen to possess one. All other members of the Royal Family, including The Duke of Edinburgh and The Prince of Wales, have passports.” The Queen is pictured here delivering a royal wave as she leaves Italy's Ciampino Airport in 2014. (credit:Getty )
Dogs (04 of10)
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Joining her cherished corgis are a number of dorgis following the amorous arrival of Princess Margaret's daschund. One of the resulting dachshund-corgi crossbreeds was named Vulcan. (credit:Getty )
Driving licences (05 of10)
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The Queen is the only person in Britain who may drive without a license or number plate on her state car. She is seen here driving away from Smith's Lawn, Windsor Park, after watching the Duke of Edinburgh play polo. (credit:Getty )
EastEnders (06 of10)
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Despite reportedly being a big fan of 70s show Kojak, the Queen deigned to visit the set of BBC soap EastEnders. She is pictured here with Barbara Windsor at The Queen Vic pics, at Elstree Studios in 2001. (credit:Getty )
Game of Thrones (07 of10)
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She also popped in at the set of HBO hit Game of Thrones in Belfast in June 2014.
Languages (08 of10)
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The Queen speaks fluent French and does not require an interpreter for state visits or audiences. Here she is toasting French President Francois Hollande during a banquet at the Elysee Palace in 2014. (credit:Anwar Hussein/WireImage)
London Underground (09 of10)
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Elizabeth was the first reigning monarch to ride the London Underground when she opened the new Victoria Line in 1969. She had travelled on the network in 1939 as Princess Elizabeth. (credit:Getty )
Swans (10 of10)
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The Queen retains the right to ownership of all unmarked mute swans in open water. (credit:Getty )
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