14 Royally Messed Up Facts About the British Monarchy

In 1913, the British Empire commanded 23% of the world’s population. Under British imperialism, millions of innocent people died. The British monarchy has a sordid and violent past. With the death of Queen Elizabeth II, we take a look back to reflect on her legacy and the legacy of the British monarchy. We didn’t know her as an individual, we knew her as a figurehead so we have to examine her legacy as such. She was reigning during several British atrocities including the Malayan Emergency where over 3,000 civilians died, the repression of the Mau Mau rebellion where over 100,000 people were in detention camps, the British secretly funding a war in Yemen, and Bloody Sunday when Irish protesters were murdered. And even though a (mostly) representational figurehead during this time, she still stood for British Empire. In the same way, Joe Camel might be a likable character, but he still helped to sell and humanize a dangerous product.
Also, come on, did we learn nothing from our Founding Fathers or even Hamilton? Overthrow the monarchy! Throw tea in the ocean! Powder your hair! Here are 14 facts about the British monarchy that might have you quoting a certain Chumbawumba song.
King Charles II drank human skulls

Source: Gizmodo
Buckingham Palace banned people of color from working in clerical jobs

Source: The Guardian
The Queen actually did influence proposed legislation

Source: The Guardian
The British Monarchy was sympathetic to Nazis at first

Source: BBC
Queen Elizabeth I explicitly supported the first English slave trade

Source: National Portrait Gallery
Around 6 million enslaved people were taken on British ships

Source: The Guardian
The royal family has never formally apologized for slavery

Source: Washington Post
The Queen was estimated to be worth $442.92 million

Source: Insider
Diamonds in the Crown Jewels were probably stolen

Source: Snopes
Queen Victoria used to proudly display looted artifacts

Source: The Guardian
Prince Andrew settled a sexual assault lawsuit

Source: New York Times
Prince Philip was notorious for saying racist things

Source: The Guardian
No one in the royal family visited their mentally disabled family members

Source: Esquire
Royal boys have to wear shorts until they're 8 years old

Source: CBS News