While Her Majesty no longer flies or sails abroad, being one of the most well-travelled nonagenarians in the world is an impressive title to have in your arsenal. The Queen has visited over 120 countries during her monumental reign - some places have even welcomed the monarch more than 20 times - and on every visit she is gifted with several weird and wonderful presents.
Despite being presented with countless bunches of flowers, tokens and keepsakes from her travels, many of Her Majesty's gifts have also come in animal form. Whether it is two pygmy hippopotami from the President of Liberia or two giant tortoises from the People of Seychelles, take a look at the cute and exotic animals that have been given to The Queen.
The Queen has visited an astounding number of countries during her 70 years on the throne and has walked away with some truly amazing presents.
The first three gifts came in 1953, the same year as her coronation. First was An Arab stallion from King Faisal of Iraq, next was an Arab stallion named Alhehal and an Arab mare called Al Masouda from the Imam of Yemen and finally two polo ponies from President Perón of Argentina.
In 1956, Chairman Bulganin and General Secretary Krushchev of the Soviet Union presented the Queen and Prince Charles with two golden dun stallions and Princess Anne with a three-month-old bear who was given a home at ZSL London Zoo.
As The Queen’s love of all-things equestrian is incredibly well-known, she has been sent many horses from all over the world.
These horses include one from the Portuguese Government and Black mare (Burmese) from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, which the Queen rode during the Trooping the Colour ceremonies between 1969 and 1986.
Other animal gifts sent to the monarch were two American beavers and an Arctic fox from Canada, two giant anteaters and a sloth from Brazil and a young Nile crocodile from the people of Gambia.
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But did you know that The Queen is not the first monarch to own incredibly exotic animals like these?
Hundreds of animals once called the Tower of London home as it was once a menagerie, that housed baboons, elephants, zebras and tigers.
The star attraction was undoubtedly the barbary lions which were sent by Frederick II, the Holy Roman Emperor to persuade Henry III into a diplomatic agreement.
The three lions were in honour of the animals on the English coat of arms which were established by Richard I (Richard the Lionheart).
The lions weren't the only gift for Henry III. The king was also sent an African elephant by Louis IX - which reportedly died from either the cold weather in London or because it was given a drink of red wine.
Three leopards were also gifted to Henry, as well as a very famous polar bear. The ‘white bear’ was a present from King Haakon of Norway and it was allowed to go fishing in the River Thames.
The remaining animals were moved to London Zoo which had opened two years previously in 1828 under the instruction of The Duke of Wellington.
Nowadays, the only animals that call the impressive fortress home are the iconic ravens and the pets of the Governors of the tower and Yeoman Warders.
