Queen Elizabeth’s Biggest Mistakes: 5 Shocking Things Monarch Did During Her Reign

Queen Elizabeth II is a great monarch, but she isn’t perfect.

Amalie Henden, a journalist for Express, compiled a list of Queen Elizabeth II’s mistakes during her reign. The list includes a shocking encounter with a palace guard. Check it out below:

Almost got shot by a guard

During a late night walk, a Buckingham Palace guard noticed that someone else was roaming around. The officer was on his guard and ready to shoot the person whom he later recognized as the Queen.

“Bloody hell, your majesty, I nearly shot you,” the surprised guard said.

Queen Elizabeth II was very understanding and even told the officer, “Next time I’ll ring you through beforehand so you don’t have to shoot me.”

Holding back the monarchy

The Queen is known for keeping royal traditions. During her reign, Queen Elizabeth II fought hard to keep things as they are, which doesn’t please the public and her husband, Prince Philip, all the time.

Queen Elizabeth II’s attachment to traditions resulted in an almost decade-long feud with the Duke of Edinburgh. Prince Philip wanted to give his surname to their children Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, but she rejected his proposal because on April 9, 1952, she announced that “her children will be styled and known as the house and family of Windsor.”

Very distant from the public

Queen Elizabeth II kept her distance from the public and due to this many deemed her as cold. However, this has changed when Her Majesty started broadcasting her annual Christmas speech. In this way, the monarch welcomes the public in her home and the people get to know the Queen more.

Stripping Princess Diana’s title

Queen Elizabeth II played a role in stripping the late Prince of Wales’ “Her Royal Highness” title. In August 1996, she issued a patent regulating post-divorce royal title indicating that former wives (other than a widow until she remarries) are not entitled to hold and enjoy the style, title or attribute of Royal Highness.

The said move led to an uproar among the British citizens who considered Princess Diana a princess. Queen Elizabeth II seemed to regret her decision as she allowed the People’s Princess’ coffin to be covered by the Royal Standard following her tragic death.

Treating her royal children with kids gloves

Royal correspondent James Whitaker believes that another mistake the Queen did was the way she raised her children. Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward were treated with kids gloves by the staff and their parents.

“I think one of the biggest faults the Queen has is that she believes her children can do no wrong and never have done anything wrong,” the expert said.