The Queen Banned the Royal Family From Playing This One Board Game

Things get "too vicious," apparently.

queen elizabeth ii london, england november 26 queen elizabeth visits the new headquarters of the royal philatelic society on november 26, 2019 in london, england photo by tolga akmen wpa poolgetty images
(Image credit: WPA Pool)
Katherine J Igoe
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You guys, this story has made my entire week. According to Express (opens in new tab), there's one game the Royal Family will not be playing as they remain quarantined—and that game is Monopoly, because the Queen has apparently "banned" it from being played at home. 

(opens in new tab)

Hasbro Monopoly Board Game

And, before anyone says anything, no, this is not a story about the Queen being a tyrant or imposing insane restrictions, etc. etc. It's just based on a (kind of adorable?) anecdote from 2008 that I'm just going to leave here:

"In December 2008, Prince Andrew attended Leeds Building Society’s newly-refurbished Albion Street headquarters. Before he left the Duke of York was given the property board game Monopoly to mark his visit.

"However, Andrew had to politely decline the game as he reportedly revealed: 'We are not allowed to play Monopoly at home.' The Daily Telegraph reported Andrew explained the game could cause arguments within the family, as 'it gets too vicious.'"

Guys, I cannot help but love this so much. It has everything I want! In my mind, the Queen dominating everything and winning every time (or playing the role of the banker, because, obviously). Family members wailing "Mum!" "Granny!" "Great-granny!" at the unfairness of it all. Cards and pieces and (eventually the board) going flying. Actually that last one's probably just Monopoly at my house—we have a lot of competitive people—but in my mind that's exactly how it works out.

Seriously, just imagine this Monopoly game, and tell me that's not the most amazing thing.

trooping the colour 2019 the royal family, london, england june 08 prince william, duke of cambridge, catherine, duchess of cambridge, prince louis of cambridge, prince george of cambridge and princess charlotte of cambridge during trooping the colour, the queens annual birthday parade, on june 8, 2019 in london, england photo by chris jacksongetty images

(Image credit: Chris Jackson)

So intense (keep an eye on Charlotte, I bet she's sneakily the best player).

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Katherine J. Igoe
Katherine J. Igoe

Katherine’s a Boston-based contributor at Marie Claire who covers fashion, culture, and lifestyle—from “Clueless” to Everlane to news about Lizzo. She’s been a freelancer for 11 years and has had roles with Cosmopolitan and Bustle, with bylines in Parents, Seventeen, and elsewhere. It’s “I go to dinner,” not “Her huge ego,” but she responds to both.

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