The British Royal Family has long been the centre of global attention and admired worldwide. They have also received many lavish, thoughtful, and downright unusual gifts. Just last year, the Royals were scrutinised for failing to publish the annual gift list for four years.
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While they get to keep most gifts, they are also forced to return some. Regardless, the gifts they receive are one-of-a-kind. Tokens like jewellery or artworks are expected, and some gifts have stood out as truly extraordinary. From live animals to amazing memorabilia, here’s a deep dive into some of the most surprising and unique gifts received by the British monarchy.
Exotic animals: Elephants, tortoises, and more
Over her long reign, Queen Elizabeth II was gifted an astonishing array of animals from world leaders and dignitaries. Among the most memorable were an elephant named Jumbo from Cameroon’s president, two pygmy hippopotami from Liberia, and even a giant tortoise from Seychelles. While Buckingham Palace gardens might not have been equipped to house these exotic creatures, they found loving homes in the care of ZSL London Zoo or Whipsnade Zoo.
Elephants
In 1972, Cameroon’s President Ahidjo gifted Queen Elizabeth II an elephant named Jumbo, reports Royal Collection Trust. While Jumbo didn’t roam the palace grounds, he became a beloved resident of London Zoo, later moving to Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire.
Giant Tortoises
The Seychelles presented the Queen with two Aldabra giant tortoises, known for their longevity and grandeur. Like many other animals gifted to the Royal Family, they found a home at London Zoo, becoming a popular attraction and a symbol of the enduring friendship between nations.
Pygmy Hippopotamus
In 1961, Liberia’s President Tubman gave the Queen a pair of pygmy hippos, an incredibly rare species. These unique creatures also settled at the London Zoo, helping to spotlight West Africa’s wildlife and conservation efforts.
A sword made of shark’s teeth
In 1982, Queen Elizabeth II received a traditional Kiribati sword known as a Tebute during her visit to the Pacific island of Kiribati. Made from coconut palm wood and edged with shark teeth, the sword highlighted the island’s unique craftsmanship and cultural heritage. This remarkable gift served as a token of the island’s rich traditions and its relationship with the British monarchy.
A South African bull
As a nod to their agricultural roots and royal heritage, the British Royal Family was gifted a South African bull. The animal, representing strength and prosperity, symbolised the enduring connection between the monarchy and South Africa.
A menagerie of animals
In the 18th century, Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III, was gifted a menagerie of exotic animals, including zebras and parrots. These animals were not only intriguing additions to the royal estate but also served as symbols of the expanding reach of the British Empire.
Obama’s iPod for Queen Elizabeth
In 2009, during a state visit to the UK, US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama broke royal gifting tradition by presenting Queen Elizabeth II with an iPod. This wasn’t just any iPod; it came preloaded with photos and videos of her 2007 visit to the United States. It also had Broadway tunes and a songbook for The King and I, reports The Guardian. The Queen, reportedly ‘delighted’ with the present, proved that even she appreciated a bit of tech-savvy flair.
Horse semen
Among the most unexpected gifts offered to Queen Elizabeth II was horse semen worth over £5,000. This rather unorthodox present came from Cristina Patino, the owner of champion racehorse Snow Fairy. According to The Express, the Queen was offered the services of a stallion named Big Bad Bob during a visit to the Irish National Stud in 2011. The semen was intended to enhance the royal stables’ bloodlines. While the idea may sound shocking to some, it was perfectly suited to the Queen’s interests.
Boris bikes for the Royals
In 2011, as a wedding gift for Prince William and Kate Middleton, then-Mayor of London Boris Johnson presented the royal couple with a tandem bicycle. The bike symbolised London’s appreciation for the royal couple’s public service and charm, reports The Standard. Not stopping there, Johnson later sent Prince George his very own miniature Boris Bike, complete with personalised livery and a serial number marking his birthdate, as per MailOnline.
Food and more!
Food has often been a recurring theme in royal gifts, and some of these offerings have been truly unforgettable.
A huge barrel of cheese
To celebrate Queen Victoria’s 1840 marriage to Prince Albert, she received a gigantic cheese wheel weighing over 1,000 pounds as a wedding gift. Crafted from the milk of 750 cows, this colossal dairy delight measured more than nine feet in diameter.
500 Tins of pineapple and cake ingredients
When Princess Elizabeth married Prince Philip in 1947, Australia’s Girl Guides sent 500 tins of pineapple alongside other cake ingredients. In post-war Britain, where rationing was still in effect, these supplies were vital for the creation of the royal wedding cake, reports Hello!. The resulting cake was famously dubbed the ‘10,000-mile cake.’
Purple salt: A rare culinary treasure
Adding a touch of exoticism to the royal pantry, Queen Elizabeth II was given a batch of rare purple salt. On her 90th birthday, Queen Elizabeth II received a bag of purple salt from the British Virgin Islands, reports Woman & Home. This unique gift came from the island’s traditional salt ponds and held historical significance, as Salt Island had once paid rent to Queen Victoria in the form of this salt.
Other quirky and extravagant gifts received by the British Royalty include:
A jewel-encrusted ostrich egg
In 1979, The Sultan of Oman gifted the Queen a jewel-encrusted ostrich egg . This opulent and exotic item demonstrated the Sultan’s admiration for the British monarchy while highlighting the artistry of the Middle East.
A gold-plated horse comb
Among the more opulent gifts, Queen Elizabeth II received a gold-plated horse comb, perfectly suited to her passion for equestrian pursuits. The intricately designed comb, a gift from a Middle Eastern royal family honoured the Queen's dedication to horse breeding and care.
A grasshopper-shaped wine cooler
During a state visit, the Royal Family was presented with a wine cooler designed in the shape of a giant grasshopper. This peculiar yet artistic piece combined functionality with whimsy, standing out as a testament to the creativity of its makers. It reportedly became a conversation starter at royal gatherings.
Read more:
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Sources used:
Royal Collection Trust: Animals presented to The Queen
The Guardian: President Obama gives the Queen an iPod
The Express: The oddest gift offer ever for the Queen?
The Standard: Just what every royal couple need - Mayor gives William and Kate a tandem Boris bike
MailOnline: Tricycle built for three: Boris Johnson sends Prince George mini-Boris Bike
Hello!: 11 most unusual royal wedding gifts of all time
Woman & Home: From historic diamonds to hippopotami - the most extravagant and surprising gifts given to the royals
Yahoo!: The Most Extravagant Gifts the Royal Family Has Ever Received
