The Queen and her passion for horses
09/19/2022
The state funeral service for the Queen is being held today in London's Westminster Abbey.
A few words about a great personality who was probably the only person in the world who was able to drive around without a driver's license (and license plate) throughout her life. Although she was trained as a truck driver and mechanic towards the end of the Second World War and was therefore even able to change tires and detect engine damage herself, she never had a license. This was probably because she simply didn't need one. As passports, ID cards and even driving licenses were issued in her name in the UK, the law did not require her to issue one herself.
In 2019, Jackie Stewart turned 80 and invited the Queen to his celebrations in London, but the invitation was unfortunately declined by the Secretariat without her knowledge. The three-time F1 world champion then contacted her personally and expressed his deep regret that she was staying away from the party. The Queen was astonished: "What party?" The Queen then became the guest of honor at Stewart's birthday party.
Elizabeth ll. loved few things more than horsepower, that is, one thing in particular, her horse. Riding was one of her great passions, but she was nevertheless present at the GP premiere in Silverstone on May 13, 1950 and admired Giuseppe Farina's victory on the powerful supercharged Alfa Romeo. At the young age of 24, she attended the very first F1 GP in history and just two years later, in 1952, she became Queen of the United Kingdom as Elizabeth ll. Even as Queen, she had frequent contact with motor racing and racing cars. Sir William Lyons, for example, showed her the fastest horse in his stable, the Jaguar D-Type.
In her long presence until September 8, 2022, she also honored four racing drivers. In addition to Jack Brabham and Jackie Stewart, Sir Stirling Moss, never the fastest world champion, and the now seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. Stirling Moss was ennobled to "Sir" by "Her Majesty Elizabeth ll". If someone is ennobled who has never become a champion, he must be a very special person. Sir Stirling Moss was probably the best racing driver who never made it to world champion and went down in history as the eternal runner-up.
This is in stark contrast to Lewis Hamilton, who shares the sceptre with Michael Schumacher with 7 titles. "Loisl", as he is also known on the scene, was the fourth racing driver to receive a "knighthood" from the Queen. According to several media reports, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson personally campaigned for Hamilton after he became world champion for the 7th time. Damon Hill saw the accolade not only as recognition of his sporting achievements as a racing driver, but also as a tribute to an athlete with dark skin "who has opened the door for everyone who is not white".
Land Rover, Range Rover, Jaguar, Bentley, Daimler and Rolls Royce, the main thing is British. The late Queen Elizabeth ll had exquisite taste in cars and often liked to drive herself. Her husband, Prince Philip, loved the Land Rover more than anything. The Prince's last wish to begin his final journey in the back of a Land Rover Defender TD5 130 was fulfilled.
On September 8, 2022, the death of Queen Elizabeth II sadly brought a long and extremely colorful era to an end.
_RM.jpg)
