16 Expensive Things Owned By Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II has a net worth of $500 Million Dollars, that's why Vidello Productions is taking a look at 16 expensive things she owns.
- HMY Britannia
Construction on this ship began in 1952 and was launched on April 16th 1553.
During her 43 year career,the ship travelled more than 1 million nautical miles around the globe.
After she was decommissioned in 1997 she became a tourist attraction and has been seen in various cities around the United Kingdom.
The ship was designed as a floating palace with all the trappings of luxury from the queens homes installed on board including silver cutlery, golden door handles and opulent living area's.
The boat had room for some of the queens a cars and even had its own servants living quarters with laundry facilities and even a private hospital.
- Art Collection
The owner of the largest private collection of art in the world, The Queen currently owns around one million paintings, watercolors, drawings and prints.
Many artworks in the collection are owned solely by the crown however some are owned privately by her Majesty.
Some of the works in the collection include portraits by Rembrandt, Michelangelo and at least 600 drawings by Leonardo Da Vinci.
A number of other items including furniture and ornaments grace the royal collection including one of the largest collections of french furniture ever assembled.
- Land
She is thought to be one of the biggest land owners on the planet, with her current portfolio showing around 6 million acres of land or to put it into perspective, one sixth of the worlds non ocean surface.
She is currently the only person on earth who owns whole countries and who owns countries that are not her own domestic territory.
Its thought that if a total price could be put on the land it would come in somewhere close to $33 trillion dollars.
- Royal Fisheries
The queen owns all open water fisheries within the water boundaries of the United Kingdom that relate to the fishing of Sturgeon, Whales, porpoises and Dolphins with all the animals officially belonging to the queen or the monarch at that time.
The rule comes from a statute from 1324 during the rule of King Edward the second.
The law hit the news in 2004 after fishermen caught and sold a sturgeon in Swansea Bay and under current law the Receiver of the Wreck is officially appointed to take possession of the animals when they arrive on English shores.
- Entire Swan Population
Its understood among popular culture that the Queen of England, or whoever sits on the throne at the time owns all 5300 breeding pairs of mute swan that are un-marked and sit on open water.
Swan uppers can be regularly seen on the Thames, tagging and checking the health of the birds and its known that rights to the ownership of swans can be passed from the crown to individuals seeking to purchase them.
- McDonald's Drive Through
Its been revealed through released accounts that the queen of England does indeed own a McDonald's drive through.
The acquisition of the McDonald's came through the purchasing of a retail park near Windsor Castle in 2008.
The Bath Road Retail Park in Slough is visible from the queens quarters in the castle and its thought that the queen purchased the park for 92 Million Pounds.
- Sandringham estate
It’s been a personal home for four generations of the British royal family and is situated in the English county of Norfolk.
The property is surrounded by 20,000 acres of lush green fields and forests while the main rooms of the home feature stunning bay windows.
The home also features a amazing entrance hall, fabulous ballroom and believe it or not... gas lighting!
The house was constructed by Architect Cornish Henley in 1771.
- Balmoral Castle
Purchased in 1852 for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, the splendid castle is the private Scottish residence of Her Majesty and is said to be one of her favorite places to spend time outside the public eye.
The castle was re-built in 1856 by William Smith after the original castle was deemed not suitable for modern day life.
The Royal flag of Scotland is flown when the Queen is not in the castle while it is replaced by the Royal Standard when Her Majesty is in residence
The castle is set in 20,000 acres of the best farmland in Scotland and features some of the most amazing architecture in the United Kingdom.
- Buckingham Palace
Featuring 830,000sq feet of floor space and 775 rooms it is still considered to be the biggest private residence in the world today and is the official home of the british monarchy.
The palace contains 19 state rooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 78 bathrooms, 52 royal guestrooms and 92 offices with main rooms decorated in amazing paintings and unique artifacts.
There is also a Ballroom, state dining room, music room, famous throne room and the queens private apartments where she lives and works.
One of the most famous parts of the palace is the East wing balcony where the royal family occasionally greets the outside crowds during both weddings and national events.
- Windsor Castle
The second official residence of the queen, Windsor castle sits on 13 acres of land and features a Georgian and Victorian design with the castles interior featuring both English and french furniture.
Amazing artwork, paintings and suits of armor line the hallways and the walls bear paintings and portraits of previous monarchs in order of reign.
The castle suffered damage during a serious fire in 1992 and has been restored to its former glory by some of the best people in the business.
Windsor castle is located in the English county of Berkshire and is where the queen spends her weekends.
- Holyrood House
The third official residence for the queen, Holyrood house is the Prime location for state visits and ceremonies.
The palace is open for community visits throughout the year, except for when the Royal family members are in the residence.
The largest room in the palace, The Great gallery is decorated with portraits of the Scottish monarchs and other prominent rooms include the Royal Dining room, splendid Throne room and glorious Drawing rooms.
The palace is spread over 10 acres and some of its interiors feature glorious Italian paintings while the exteriors appear magnificent with the marvelous lush greenery and superb architecture.
- Hillsborough Castle
Its the main residence used by members of the royal family on there frequent visits to northern island and was constructed by Lord Hillsborough and was completed by R.F Brettingham in 1797.
The 18th century Georgian mansion is situated in the village of Hillsborough, County Down, Northern Ireland and features Throne room, Function room and rest rooms.
The gardens offer views of beautiful surroundings while the interiors of the palace are decorated with beautiful furniture and master pieces of art.
- Bentley State Limousine
Its the official state limousine for her majesty and was a present for her golden jubilee in 2002.
The car is used during official events and is constantly guarded by both police vehicles and the royal protection squad.
It features a twin turbocharged 6.75 liter V8 engine, capable of delivering 400 break horsepower with a top speed of 130 mph.
Both the bodywork and glass on the car are bullet and bomb proof, while the rear seats are made from lambs wool sateen cloth offering enhanced comfort.
- 1984 Jaguar Saloon
The Queen’s exclusive collectibles includes a 1984 Jaguar Daimler Double Six Long-Wheelbase Saloon, which was especially designed in 1984 for the Queen’s drive around her Windsor estates.
The car was custom fitted with a number of exclusive features at the time including exceptional communications systems, flashing lights and a rear bench for the Queen’s pet dogs.
The royal car transported eminent personalities including The Queen, princes, princesses and prime ministers to various events across the kingdom and was auctioned for $77,000 in 2010.
- Range Rover
It was the car that queen Elizabeth was seen driving herself during the 2010 royal Windsor horse show and features a custom made Corgi statue on the bonnet.
It features a twin turbocharged V8 engine, 4 wheel drive, 8 speed transmission SUV and costs around $400,000.
- Jewellery Collection
Crowning off our top 10 list for her majesty is one of the largest and possibly most expensive jewelry sets in the world.
Containing the famous crown jewels, this collection includes her royal crown “The Girls of Great Britain Tiara”, also known as 'Granny's tiara' which is one of the most expensive assets of the Queen.
The connection also includes the Collet diamond necklace with a unique drop shaped diamond pendant of 22.48 carats, South African necklace and matching bracelet, diamond earrings, over 200 year old gemstones, a 23.6 carat uncut diamond from Tanzania and a marvelous black colored snuff box decorated with diamonds.
Some important gifts given to the queen include the Vladamir Tiara worth close to a million pounds, the Prince Albert sapphire Brooch worth 4 million pounds and the Cullinan Jewels thought to be worth almost £50 Million pounds
The jewels often go on display at Buckingham palace for private events and are usually kept in a secure underground, but public, part of the Tower of London.