The Seven Kingdoms may have a queen, but her name isn’t Elizabeth.
When Queen Elizabeth II visited the set of “Game of Thrones” in Northern Ireland two years ago, she turned down the chance to sit on Westeros’ most coveted seat, but it wasn’t out of respect for the ruler of the Seven Kingdoms.
As it turns out, the British monarch isn’t allowed to sit on the throne, which according to author George R.R. Martin’s narrative, is made up of a thousand swords surrendered in war.
“Apparently the Queen of England is not allowed to sit on a foreign throne,” showrunner David Beionff explained in a recent appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers. “This is an esoteric rule we didn’t know about until that final moment.”
The Queen’s decision to respect tradition and turn down the Iron Throne, in spite of all the meme potential, is probably for the best given the contention surrounding it, though she would have fit in well with all the lady rulers who emerged in the most recent season of the HBO drama.
And Khaleesi Elizabeth does have a nice ring to it.
