Hey there, let me tell you a story about Queen Elizabeth II and her jaw-dropping property portfolio. We’re not just talking about Buckingham Palace and other royal residences here. This $17 billion collection of assets spans everything from ancient forests to a certain fast-food franchise. Yes, you heard me right—McDonald's is part of the mix!

Her Majesty’s Eclectic Real Estate Collection

When most people think of the British monarchy, they imagine grand palaces, centuries-old castles, and sprawling estates. And sure, Queen Elizabeth did own some of those—but her real estate holdings go way beyond the traditional royal properties. Her portfolio includes thousands of hectares of lush forests, Ascot Racecourse (a personal favorite of hers), and even offshore wind farms. Prince Philip, her beloved husband, once famously quipped that these wind farms were "absolutely useless," but hey, they still generate revenue.

Here's the kicker: all these properties are managed by an organization called the Crown Estate. The profits don’t go directly into the royal family’s pockets; instead, they’re handed over to the British Treasury. So while the Queen didn’t personally pocket the cash, her investments certainly helped fund public services across the UK.

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A Royal Taste for Fast Food?

Now, let’s talk about the unexpected crown jewel in the Queen’s property empire—a McDonald's! That’s right, nestled within the Banbury Gateway Shopping Park in Oxfordshire, England, sits a branch of the world’s largest fast-food chain on land owned by the Crown Estate. This particular shopping center also boasts other retail giants like Marks & Spencer and Primark, making it a bustling hub for shoppers.

Interestingly, this isn’t the first McDonald’s to join the royal property empire. Back in 2008, the Crown Estate acquired the Bath Road Retail Park in Slough, which included a drive-through McDonald’s. However, the land was sold last year for a cool $234 million, proving that even royal property deals can be lucrative.

(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

What About the Royal Kids?

While it might be hard to picture Queen Elizabeth herself grabbing a cheeseburger and fries, her grandsons—Prince William and Prince Harry—were definitely fans of McDonald's during their childhood. Former royal chef Darren McGrady shared some delightful memories with Marie Claire, saying, “I remember Princess Diana coming into the kitchen one day and saying, ‘Cancel lunch for the boys, I’m taking them out. We’re going to McDonald’s… It’s the toy they want.’”

According to McGrady, the princes adored American-style comfort foods like pizza and potato skins. “They were royal princes but had children’s palates,” he explained. As for whether Prince George has inherited this love for fast food, we’ll just have to wait and see!

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