Prince Harry didn't know who the Queen was and so many more stories from the British Royals

1/20

With all the pomp and tradition, the British royal family is endlessly fascinating to us, but what do we know about them as people?
Thomas Blaikie's new book, 'What A Thing To Say To The Queen: A Collection Of Royal Anecdotes From The House Of Windsor', fills in the gaps. He has collected hilarious and touching stories about the world's most famous family.

Click through to discover some of the most charming and colorful tales ever to emerge from Buckingham Palace.

Photo: Getty Images

2/20

The Queen collects pepper shakers.
One of her favorites, a present from a friend, came from an Italian restaurant in the shape of a plastic waiter. When you turn the head for pepper, it shrieks with a joke Italian accent: "You’re breaking my neck!" which the Queen is said to find most amusing.
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3/20

The Queen drew up at the Royal Windsor Horse show in 1991 where she was greeted by a guard saying: "Sorry love, you can't come in without a pass."
The Queen, unfazed by the incident, replied: "I think if you check, I will be allowed to come in!"
The guard later admitted he thought she was "some old dear" who was lost.
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4/20

As a child, Princess Elizabeth, nicknamed Lilibet, used to ask for Christmas presents from discount chain Woolworths.
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5/20

Shortly after their marriage the Queen and Prince Philip went to Rome for her birthday. Although she wanted to celebrate with a low-key dinner at a restaurant, Philip organised a grand Embassy party.
The Queen was so annoyed with Philip that she didn't speak to him for several days.
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6/20

The Queen's handbag contains good luck charms from her children, including miniature dogs and horses and family photos.
Another reason it never leaves her side is because it's used as a signalling device. Placed on the table it means she wishes to leave in five minutes. Switched from arm to arm means she must move on and talk to someone else.
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7/20

Because Prince William is such a fan, a second cake made entirely of McVitie's chocolate biscuits was served at the reception of his wedding to Kate Middleton.
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8/20

Famous for wearing colorful clothing, the Queen once remarked: "I can't wear beige because people won't know who I am."
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9/20

If the Imperial State Crown isn’t available (it is usually on display at the Tower of London), the Queen practices for the State Opening of Parliament with a sack of flour on her head of equivalent weight.
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10/20

"Run him down!" Princess Margaret would order her chauffeur if she saw Tommy Lascelles, her elderly neighbor at Kensington Palace.
As the Queen’s private secretary, he was against her relationship with divorced Captain Peter Townsend. The Princess was forced to give up her lover and blamed Tommy for ruining her life.
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11/20

After arriving in America for a state visit in 1991, the Queen found herself struggling to see over the top of a podium as she delivered her speech.
President George Bush Sr. had been asked to pull out a small platform for the Queen to stand on. But as he forgot, all the crowd could see was 'a talking hat'.
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12/20

During lunch with her friends at Windsor Castle, the Queen heard a plane overhead. "Boeing 747," she said, before quickly correcting herself. "Actually that’s an Airbus."
As Windsor is right next to Heathrow, planes can be heard roaring past at all hours. The Queen can identify each type by its different sound.
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13/20

Prince Charles often takes a nap while at dinner parties. Hostesses in the know continue talking and no one notices. Even two minutes 'out' is said to refresh him completely.
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14/20

One Christmas Day, a junior footman thought the Queen was getting up from the table so he removed her chair for her.
Unfortunately, she wasn't, and as the Queen went to sit back down she fell straight to the floor.
Surprised but unhurt, the Queen was soon as amused as the rest of her family.
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15/20

As a young adult Princess Elizabeth enjoyed a breakfast of bacon and eggs with a cup of tea. Nowadays the Queen has toast and marmalade, but she offers most of it to her corgis.
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16/20

The Queen Mother had such a wonderful collection of hats that her attendants would often try them on for fun.
She found out and told the staff: "I quite understand if you want to wear my hats and other things, but do try to put them back where you found them!"
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17/20

To avoid arriving late, Prince Philip has given his valet the task of feeding him sandwiches while he drives.
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18/20

"The Queen will be here at teatime," a courtier once told a young Prince Harry at Sandringham. To which he asked: "Who’s the Queen?"
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19/20

The young Princess Elizabeth once poured a bottle of ink over her head in protest because she was bored of writing out columns of verbs in her French lessons.
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20/20

Unfazed by Michael Fagan, the intruder who broke into her bedroom in 1982, the Queen settled into her bed after his removal so that she could enjoy her tea as planned.
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