The Queen’s Most Bizarre Habits Only Made Her More Lovable

Queen Elizabeth was an international icon, but it's important to remember that underneath all the pomp and ceremony, she was an ordinary human being. We all have our own quirks, but surely someone like her was above that kind of behavior, right? Well, not exactly. As it turns out, the British monarch had some pretty unusual routines that prove she was unlike anyone else on the planet. So, from celebrating two birthdays a year to having a personal poet, let’s discover how the Queen differed from us mere mortals.

1. She couldn't stand facial hair

The next time you look at a picture of the British royal family, zoom in on the faces of the guys. Why? Well, you’re sure to notice that nearly none of them have facial hair. And that’s entirely down to the Queen. Reportedly, she hated mustaches and beards, so growing them was out of the question. Elizabeth would be the perfect mascot for Gillette!

2. Particular nail polish

Finding the right nail polish for your cuticles isn’t always easy, but the Queen had no such problem. According to Harper’s Bazaar, she sported the same type for over 30 years. In case you were curious, it’s “Ballet Slippers” pink from the Essie brand. Her hairdresser first asked for a container in 1989, and she refused to try anything else as an alternative.

3. Her private ATM

It was difficult to picture the Queen standing at an ATM with the rest of us. Doesn’t seem particularly royal, does it? Then again, that’s not to say that she wasn't in the habit of drawing out money every so often. Insiders noted that Elizabeth had a private cash dispenser sitting in Buckingham Palace. How cool is that?

4. Secret signals

Even an ordinary conversation with the Queen came with some hidden meanings — for those in the know, at least. Elizabeth had a set of secret signs that her staff had to become familiar with. For instance, by sticking her bag on a tabletop, she messaged that she was ready to leave in five minutes. But if it ended up on the ground, the monarch wanted out immediately.