Collection

Snopes Collection: Queen Elizabeth II in Life and Rumor

Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in British history, died on Sept. 8, 2022, at the age of 96.

Published Sept. 8, 2022

(Eingeschränkte Rechte für bestimmte redaktionelle Kunden in Deutschland. Limited rights for specific editorial clients in Germany.) Elisabeth II. *21.04.1926-Koenigin von GB seit 1953- Portrait, waehrend eines Aufenthalts in Kanada- 1951 (Photo by ullstein bild/ullstein bild via Getty Images) (ullstein bild/ullstein bild via Getty Images)
Image courtesy of ullstein bild/ullstein bild via Getty Images

Notwithstanding Mel Brooks' movie quip, "It's good to be the king," there are downsides to wearing the crown, not the least of which is being the constant subject of rumors and gossip. Thus it was for Queen Elizabeth II, who reigned over the United Kingdom for over 70 years until her death in 2022.

It has fallen to Snopes to fact-check any number of viral claims about the queen over the years, both true and apocryphal. Did she really work as a mechanic during World War II? (True, as the first female member of the Royal Family to join the Armed Services as a full-time active member.) Did the queen take the unapproved drug ivermectin for COVID-19? (False, though she was, in fact, diagnosed with COVID-19 and survived the disease.)

Here is a roster of our most popular fact checks about Queen Elizabeth, spanning decades and every kind of subject matter imaginable.

Queen Elizabeth II
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People gather outside Buckingham Palace in London, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022. Buckingham Palace says Queen Elizabeth II has been placed under medical supervision because doctors are "concerned for Her Majesty's health." Members of the royal family traveled to Scotland to be with the 96-year-old monarch. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
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Person, Human, Clothing
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Accessories, Accessory, Person
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queen elizabeth knights cat
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Person, Human, Face
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Was Queen Elizabeth II a descendant of Muhammad?
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Person, Human, Wood
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Hat, Clothing, Apparel
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A rumor said that Queen Elizabeth II owned a stolen diamond known as the Great Star of Africa that came from South Africa.
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Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II visits Liverpool Albert Dock during her Diamond Jubilee tour of Great Britain, Liverpool, England, 17 May 2012.
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Text, Label, Credit Card
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Person, Human, Marching
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Hat, Clothing, Apparel
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Shop, Shoe Shop, Clothing
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Clothing, Apparel, Person
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A photo shows Queen Elizabeth laughing after Prince Philip "pranked" her by disguising himself as a palace guard.
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Person, Human, Senior Citizen
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David Emery is a West Coast-based writer and editor with 25 years of experience fact-checking rumors, hoaxes, and contemporary legends.