Bizarre Reason Why Queen Elizabeth Refused to Sit On The Iron Throne From ‘Game of Thrones’

When Queen Elizabeth II visited the Game of Thrones set in Northern Ireland, she baffled the cast when she refused to sit on the famous 'Iron Throne' from the series. The Queen's refusal was rooted in an esoteric rule that prohibited royal members from sitting on a foreign throne. Although an archaic tradition, and not to forget a fictional throne—the Queen was adamant not to break the same. For the late monarch, centuries-old royal protocols were a core part of her duty and identity.

Reportedly a fan of Game of Thrones, she visited the set in 2014 at The Paint Hall Studios with Prince Philip. Despite the playful nudges from the A-list cast, the likes of Lena Headey, Kit Harington, Maisie Williams, and Sophie Turner, the Queen held firm. She inspected the throne, but never gave in.

Later, on the Late Night With Seth Meyers talk show, Game of Thrones showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss spoke highly of the Queen’s royal visit. As per FandomWire, they acknowledged the redundant protocol that states that sitting on another throne may be considered an unwarranted act of aggression. Benioff recalled, “Apparently, the Queen of England is not allowed to sit on a foreign throne. This is an esoteric rule we didn't know about. It's a fictional throne, sure, but apparently, the rule still applies.” Macy Williams, who played Arya Stark in the popular series, also told host Sean Evans of First We Feast, “She sort of looked at it and said, 'That doesn’t look very comfortable.’ We all just sort of smiled and were like, ‘Is she going to do it?’”

Unlike the fictional Iron Throne of the series, the actual throne of the British monarchy is never used for leisure. The Queen never sat on it for personal enjoyment or informal events. Located in the House of Lords, the Queen sat on it during the State Opening of Parliament, an event marking the beginning of the parliamentary year.

Other than Game of Thrones, the Queen reportedly enjoyed watching numerous TV shows, including Downton Abbey (we totally understand why) and Doctor Who, as per Wales Online. She was also a fan of comedies like The Kumars at No 42. Additionally, she was known to enjoy BBC News, particularly the Six O'Clock News. One of her favorite genres was musicals, and she had a fondness for classic films like The Sound of Music (1965), starring Julie Andrews. Her taste in films and television reflected a love for history, British culture, and a quiet escape from royal duties. Interestingly, the Queen also once featured in a cameo with James Bond actor Daniel Craig for the opening ceremony of the London Olympics.