The Queen made a lovely discovery about herself during a video chat engagement this week, as she heard that she was the first person to achieve a life saving award as a teenager 80 years ago.
Her Majesty seemed delighted to hear that she was the first to receive the Junior Respiration Award from the Royal Life Saving Society as a young girl back in 1941.
The monarch was speaking to the Royal Life Saving Society, of which she has been patron since 1952, when she was surprised with the impressive fact of her achievement.
During a chat with lifesavers and researchers from the organisation, the Queen was told: "We are aware that you were the first recipient of a resuscitation certification when you were a youth."
Upon hearing that she was a trailblazer, Her Majesty replied with a smile and a laugh: "I didn't realise I was the first one. I just did it!"
She continued: "And [I] had to work very hard for it! That was a very long time ago, I'm afraid. I think it's changed a lot."
The Junior Respiration Award was introduced in February 1941 and completed by Her Majesty as a 14-year-old.
The Queen's conversation with the organisation came about as the United Nations adopted a Resolution on Drowning Prevention, which represents a formal acknowledgement of the issue as an international problem.
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