Random Facts We Just Learned About Historical Queens That Made Us Say 'Really' (15 items)

• (#1) Marie Antoinette Adopted Multiple Orphaned Children

  From Redditor u/marmorset:

  TIL Marie Antoinette had several adopted children including a boy from Senegal whom she freed after he was given to her [as] a slave.

  Context: Marie Antoinette and her husband Louis XVI had difficulty conceiving children. To deal with these perceived shortcomings, she was known to take care of children that were not her own. She took in orphaned children from both a maid of hers and an usher, as well as a boy who was given to her as a gift and would have traditionally been put into slavery.
• (#14) Queen Victoria's Upbringing Was Super Strict

  From Redditor u/zitamagyar8:

  TIL Queen Victoria was raised under a strict system called the Kensington System, created by her mother and Sir John Conroy. Her first two requests, upon her accession, were that she should be allowed an hour by herself, and that her bed should be removed from her mother's room. She also banned Conroy.

  Context: A rigid system was in fact used to rein in any of Queen Victoria's mischievousness. The strict rules to which she was subjected were collectively known as the Kensington System; they were put in place to not only control her but also prepare her for ruling the country. It was also a way to ensure that her mother would be named regent when Victoria ascended to the throne.
• (#9) Marie Antoinette Commissioned A Fake Village

  From Redditor u/barbie_museum:

  TIL French Queen Marie Antoinette had a fully functioning peasant village built on the grounds of Versailles. She loved strolling the village in simple shepherdess garb pretending to live a simple life milking cows or sheep, which were carefully maintained and cleaned by the servants.

  Context: Marie Antoinette did have a model village constructed in the Trianon gardens. While many believe she had the small reconstruction built to allow her to play pretend as though she were a peasant, she actually used it for taking relaxing walks and hosting parties. It was also a fully functioning farm, which she used to help teach her children. The cottages were not built with much longevity in mind, and thus deteriorated quickly, but have been rebuilt to withstand the weather better.
• (#8) Elizabeth II Is A Trained Mechanic

  From Redditor u/StaysAwakeAllWeek:

  TIL Queen Elizabeth is a trained mechanic

  Context: Elizabeth II was determined to join the Armed Forces when she was younger, despite her father being reluctant to let her do so. In her duty, she learned to drive vehicles, change tires, and rebuild engines.
• (#4) Mary Queen Of Scots Was Really Tall

  From a former Redditor:

  TIL that Mary, Queen of Scots was 5'11" (1.8m) tall in an age when 5'4" (1.63m) was considered tall for a woman.

  Context: Mary, Queen of Scots, was in fact almost 6 feet tall. The average height for women at the time was estimated to be nearly a foot shorter than she stood.
• (#2) Cleopatra's Eyeliner Was Medicinal

  From Redditor u/channel_hopper:

  TIL Cleopatra’s eyeliner wasn't just for beauty purposes - the lead salt found in it helped protect her against eye disease

  Context: Much of the makeup available in ancient Egypt was composed with lead salts. While lead is often seen as a health hazard, recent studies have shown that in small doses around the eyes, it may have had health benefits. According to a lead researcher, the lead compounds in makeup may have been used to promote immune cells and prevent eye illnesses.

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