1. Britain is a constitutional monarchy.
2. The Queen is also head of the judiciary, and of the Church of England, as well as the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces.
3. The relationship between the monarch and the people has always been on good terms.
4. The biggest crisis in the monarchy`s history came in 1449 when Charles I was actually condemned to death by parliament.
5. In 1642 a Civil War broke out between the Royalists under Oliver Cromwell and the Roundheads the supporters of the parliament.
6. The Roundheads won, Charles was beheaded and the monarchy abolished.
7. When Queen Victoria`s husband, Prince Albert, died in 1861.
8. For over 20 years Queen Victoria performed no national duties, but she recovered and in 1897 her Diamond Jubilee, celebrating a record 60 years on the throne.
9. Edward VIII was in love with a twice- divorced Australian woman, and he was forced to choose between his love and the throne.
10. When Princess Elizabeth, came to the throne in 1952 the monarchy was not very popular.
11. Princess Diana became an international superstar; more popular than her husband from whom she divorced in 1996.
12. Celebrations for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 2002 were deliberately kept low-key, as the organisers feared that the public would not be interested.
