Queen Elizabeth II is such an integral part of British identity – but Her Majesty is kept out of reach from the public in her various extravagant palaces that, of course, misconceptions are bound to circulate.

Whispers of the Queen necking four cocktails per day and owning all the swans in Britain are some of the more common ones you may have heard of.

From the bizarre to the outright conspiracy, these myths show that the rumour mill works overtime when it comes to our monarch.

Metro.co.uk debunks the most common old wives’ tales about the Queen.

Common myths about the Queen

The Queen owns all the swans in Britain

Answer: True… sort of

The Queen owning all of the UK’s swans is a well-known but often embellished and misconstrued fact.

Her Majesty only actually exercises ownership on certain stretches and tributaries of the River Thames around Windsor.

If you find a swan elsewhere, it’s a free bird.

Each year, the Queen finds out just how many swans she can claim ownership of in a five-day event where the swans are counted – called Swan Upping.

The UK is home to around 32,000 swans, according to Countryfile.

The exact number of swans owned by the Queen is not made public, but David Barber, the Queen’s official Swan Marker, said that the number is down from the last count.

The Queen’s results in people attempting to kill and eat one of the swans as an act of treason.

According to Parliament’s Law Commission, unlawfully injuring one of the Queen’s swans isn’t treason, but it will incur a hefty fine of up to £5,000.

Killing any bird in the UK also incurs penalties.

The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 protects all wild birds in the UK and their eggs.

Killing them without permission could incur an unlimited fine, six months imprisonment, or both.

If you see an injured swan then you should contact the RSPCA. Do not try to help the bird yourself as it may be distressed and attack.

The Queen drinks four cocktails per day

Answer: False.

Former royal chef Darren McGrady set the record straight about Her Majesty’s drinking habits.

McGrady told Business Insider that although she does indeed enjoy a tipple, her poison of choice being a gin and Dubonnet, she does not down four alcoholic beverages everyday.

He said: ‘She certainly doesn’t drink four glasses a day.’

McGrady added: ‘She’d be pickled if she drank that much.’

He also said that it is also untrue that the Queen necks gin at breakfast.

McGrady clarified: ‘She doesn’t wake up in the morning and have a large gin and tonic.’

He said that he reckons the rumours came about due to miscommunication.

McGrady explained that he has a thick accent, and that journalists may have misheard ‘gin and Dubonnet’ (pronounced doo-bon-ney) with ‘gin in the morning’.

However, there is one drinking rumour that may have some legs.

Her Majesty’s late cousin Margaret Rhodes previously reported that the Queen drinks at least one glass of champagne before bed.

The Queen has never publically commented on this fact, so the reality of it will likely remain unknown.

The Queen receives a red box every day

Answer: True.

The Queen does indeed receive a red box every day.

The briefcase-style box covered in red leather is used to convey daily dispatches from the government to the monarch.

Her Majesty begins her workday by checking documents and dishing out her signature where needed.

The only time she doesn’t receive a box is on her two official days off every year which are, according to Hello!, Christmas Day and Easter Sunday.

Red boxes are commonly used to carry governmental information. In fact, Chancellor Rishi Sunak recently presented one at the Autumn Budget.

The iconic box featured in The Crown, the hit drama based on the Royals.

King George VI advises young Elizabeth to flip the red box upside down and read the contents in that order because members of the government who want to ‘hide’ material from the monarch, will slip it in the bottom.

Like many moments from The Crown, it’s tough to determine if that scene is accurate or false.

However, the moment captures the vital line of communication that the red box represents between the monarch and the government.

The Queen writes everyone a 100th birthday card

Answer: True.

Yes, the Queen sends congratulatory messages to those celebrating their 100th and 105th birthday and every year thereafter.

Letters are sent to those celebrating their 60th, 65th, and 70th wedding anniversaries.

The message is pre-written, however it is believed that the Queen herself signs each card.

You will need to apply for a congratulatory message from Her Majesty, otherwise you will not receive one.

The application should be made at least three weeks before the special day.

You will need to complete a form and supply a photocopy of the marriage or birth certificate.

Find the forms and further guidance on the Royal website.

When the Union Flag flies above Buckingham Palace, it means the Queen is home

Answer: False.

The Union Flag only flies above Buckingham Palace if the Queen is not in residence.

The Royal Standard is flown when the Sovereign is present.

When The Queen goes to Parliament, the Royal Standard flies from Victoria Tower.

Look out for the Standard next time you’re outside Buckingham Palace.

The Queen has no power

Answer: False.

The fact that the United Kingdom operates as a parliamentary democracy doesn’t mean the Queen is a mere figurehead.

The Queen has a number of specifically enumerated powers.

For example, she can declare war, grant royal pardons, determine who will be knighted, and can requisition civilian ships for military use if the need ever arises.

She can also summon and dissolve Parliament whenever she fancies – although she seldom does outside of prescheduled Parliamentary meetings and events.

The power is ceremonial, and it is extremely rare that a royal will stray from the democratic process.

The last time a monarch didn’t grant royal assent was in 1708, when Queen Anne vetoed a measure that would’ve restored the Scottish militia.

The Queen will never abdicate

Answer: Probably true.

The death of her husband Prince Philip and her recent health complications have resulted in many speculating that the 95-year-old monarch might soon retire from Royal duties and abdicate from the throne.

However, royal insiders insist that this is unlikely, as she is annointed by God.

In April, royal historian Hugo Vickers told the Guardian: ‘One main reason why the Queen will absolutely not abdicate is unlike other European monarchs, she is an anointed Queen.’

‘And if you are an anointed Queen you do not abdicate.’

If she was unable to fulfil her constitutional duties, a regent could be appointed, as happened with George III.

Vickers also points at the fact that the Queen is due to celebrate her platinum jubilee next year.

He explained: ‘It would be completely illogical to abdicate just before that extraordinary anniversary.’

The Queen does not drive herself

Answer: False.

On public excursions, the Queen is escorted by Metropolitan Police protection officers and are sometimes driven in convoy with police cars during official events.

However, Her Majesty is free to drive herself.

The Queen is often spotted driving a Jaguar estate.

Although, there is one common driving law that the Queen is above – she doesn’t need a driving license.

As The Independent explains, ‘The Queen is the only person in Britain who can drive without a license.’

This is because driver’s licenses are issued in her name, and it would seem unnecessary for her to issue one to herself.

You cannot turn your back on the Queen

Answer: True.

One will not be amused if you turn your back on Her Majesty.

It is considered rude to turn away from the Queen – you are expected to back out of a room while still facing in her direction.

Another rule you must follow is standing when the Queen enters the room. You may only sit once she has sat down herself.

Bowing or curtseying when greeting Her Majesty, depending on your gender, is also part of royal etiquette.

When you first meet the Queen she should be addressed as ‘Your Majesty’ and ‘Ma’am’ consequently after. When she leaves, however, you must address her as ‘Your Majesty’ once again.

Etiquette also dictates that you must not touch the Queen (unless she offers for you to shake her hand), nor should you speak unless spoken to.

You might want to write those rules down in the event you bump into her.

The Queen is not allowed to vote

Answer: False.

In purely legal terms, the Queen is entitled to vote if she wanted to as it would be against Article 39 of the European Union’s Charter Of Fundamental Rights to stop her.

However, Parliament guidelines state it is considered unconstitutional for the Monarch or their family to vote in an election.

The official Royal website states that the Head of State ‘has to remain strictly neutral with respect to political matters’ and is unable to stand for election or vote.

The Queen also refrains from show any political leaning.

As Historian Sarah Gristwood told the BBC, it has ‘been a policy of this Queen, since her early days as head of state, to stay completely above the fray.’

The Queen weighs her Christmas dinner guests

Answer: True… reportedly.

The Royal Family has never publically commented on this tradition, and so whether or not it is indeed a real royal practice remains shrouded in mystery.

However, Royal expert Ingrid Seward told Grazia in 2018 that it is very much a family favourite festivity.

Although many would be offended by the concept, the monarch has good intentions.

Reportedly, Her Majesty does it to ensure that her guests have enjoyed their meal – with guests’ perceived merriment coming down to weight gain.

Seward revealed that the practice dates back to the early 1900s when King Edward VII would have guests weigh themselves before and after their visits.

Guests who ate enough and enjoyed themselves were expected to gain three pounds.

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The Queen’s nickname is Lilibet

Answer: True.

It’s true, the Queen is known as Lilibet to her close friends and family.

The nickname was coined when then-Princess Elizabeth was just a toddler and couldn’t pronounce her own name properly.

Her grandfather King George V would affectionately call her Lilibet, imitating her attempts to say her name. It stuck and came to be used by close relatives.

She signed her name as Lilibet on the funeral wreath for one of her closest friends Earl Mountbatten.

Prince Philip also called her by the nickname.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle honoured Her Majesty by naming their daughter Lilibet.

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