Q: Mark - New Zealand
How many ships has The Queen launched in her lifetime?

The Queen has launched 23 ships in her lifetime. The first was HMS Vanguard which she launched, as Princess Elizabeth, on 30 November 1944 in Clydebank.

The first ship which she launched as Queen was Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia, which was also launched from Clydebank.

The most recent ship launched by The Queen was The Queen Mary 2, which was launched at Southampton Docks.

Q: Michelle - Liverpool
I have heard that when The Queen visits Edinburgh each year, she is presented with the keys to the city. Is this true?

The City Chamberlain is responsible for the keys of the City of Edinburgh which were made for presentation to King Charles I on his visit to the city in 1629. These are presented to The Queen on her official visits to the city.

Since her accession to the throne in 1952, Her Majesty has visited Edinburgh nearly every year, taking up residence in the Palace of Holyroodhouse during Holyrood Week.
On these visits the Lord Provost, accompanied by bailies and councillors, presents the keys to The Queen when she steps within the city, that is to say, when she enters the palace. He greets The Queen with the words:

"We, The Lord Provost and the Members of the City of Edinburgh District Council, welcome Your Majesty to the capital City of your Ancient and Hereditary Kingdom of Scotland and offer for your gracious acceptance the Keys of Your Majesty's good City of Edinburgh."

The Queen then returns the keys and says:

"I return these keys, being perfectly convinced that they cannot be placed in better hands than those of the lord Provost and Councillors of my good City of Edinburgh."

Q: Peter - USA
Is it true that all Sturgeons belong to The Queen?

A statute from 1324, at the time of the reign of King Edward II , states that:

"Also the King shall have ... whales and sturgeons taken in the sea or elsewhere within the realm."

This statute is still valid today, and sturgeons, porpoises, whales and dolphins are recognised as 'Fishes Royal'. When captured within three miles of UK shores, or washed ashore either dead or alive, they may be claimed on behalf of the Crown. They should be reported to the local 'Receiver of Wreck' who is authorised to pay rewards for 'Fishes Royal' if the fish can be sold for consumption, or to be displayed in a museum.

Generally, when brought into port, a sturgeon is sold in the usual way, and the purchaser (usually a firm of wholesale fish merchants), as a gesture of loyalty, requests the honour of its being accepted by The Queen.

Q: Gwyneth - Truro
Is it true that through an ancient law, The Queen can be prevented from entering the City of London?

The citizens of London, through the Corporation of the City, still retain their ancient privilege of being able to bar the Sovereign from entering their streets.

Technically, before Her Majesty may enter the boundaries of the City, she must seek the formal permission of the Lord Mayor and on State occasions this colourful ceremony is usually carried out at Temple Bar, near the Law Courts.

The custom goes back to the days when London was a walled city whose gates were closed at the order of the Lord Mayor. The ceremony is now symbolic as the ancient walls and old Temple Bar no longer exist.

When the Royal carriage is about to cross the boundary of the City of Westminster to enter the City of London, the Sovereign is challenged by the Lord Mayor, the City Marshal and the Aldermen. The Lord Mayor steps forward carrying his Sword of State and offers it point downwards to The Queen, who stretches out her hand and touches it. By surrendering his sword, permission to enter the City is given and the cord stretched across the road marking the boundary is lowered.

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