1. She speaks fluent French and often uses the language for
audiences and state visits. She does not require an interpreter.
2. The Queen has received over 3.5 million items of
correspondence during her reign. 3. Since 1952, she has
conferred over 404,500 honors and awards. 4. Elizabeth has
personally held 610 investitures. An investiture is the ceremony
in which an honor is bestowed on someone for their good
services; the recognitions are published twice a year, in the
Queen's Birthday Honors and New Year's Honors lists. 5. Queen
Elizabeth II is Britain's 40th monarch since William the
Conqueror was crowned. 6. In 2002, at 76, Elizabeth became the
oldest monarch to celebrate a Golden Jubilee. The youngest was
James I (James VI of Scotland), at age 51. 7. About 1.5 million
people have attended garden parties at Buckingham Palace or the
Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland since Elizabeth has been on
the throne. 8. Over the course of her reign, she has given
regular Tuesday-evening audiences to 12 British Prime