Did the Queen Have a 24 Karat Gold Wii?
Direct Answer: Yes, Queen Elizabeth II was gifted a 24-karat gold-plated Nintendo Wii console, which was reportedly rejected by Buckingham Palace for "security reasons."
In an effort to understand the history and significance of this extraordinary gift, let us dive into the story of the Queen’s golden Wii.
The Gift:
The 24-karat gold-plated Wii was a publicity stunt by THQ, a video game company that went bankrupt in 2013. The console was valued at $300,000 and was donated to the Queen as part of a marketing campaign to promote the Wii console. The Queen’s team received the gift, but Buckingham Palace rejected it for "security reasons." According to the Palace website, "for security reasons, the Correspondence Team are unable to accept any unsolicited gifts which are sent to The Queen."
The Collector:
In 2017, after THQ went bankrupt, the golden Wii was bought by an IT administrator, Donny Fillerup, for an undisclosed amount. Fillerup put the console up for sale on eBay with a starting bid of $300,000. The bidding was eventually closed, but the final sale price is still unknown.
Royal Wii:
While the Queen never got to use the golden Wii herself, the console has an undeniable connection to the Royal Family. The Wii console was initially bought by the Queen for her grandsons, Prince William and Prince Harry, as a Christmas gift. Unfortunately, the gift was returned, and the console went to Fillerup instead.
Why Did the Queen Reject the Gift?
Buckingham Palace has not publicly disclosed the reason for rejecting the 24-karat gold Wii, but it is speculated that the gift was refused due to security concerns. The Palace has a strict protocol for accepting and rejecting gifts, and this rule is in place to maintain the security and dignity of the Royal Family. The rejection of the gift may have been influenced by the value and publicity surrounding the console, making it difficult for the Queen’s team to accept such an unusual and expensive gift.
Other Interesting Facts:
- Queen Elizabeth II was a gaming enthusiast: Despite the rejection of the golden Wii, it is known that Queen Elizabeth II enjoyed playing video games, particularly Wii bowling. She even shared a love for gaming with her grandsons, Prince William and Prince Harry.
- The Golden Wii was not the only gift: In 2012, the Queen was given a gold-plated Sony PlayStation 3 as part of a marketing campaign by Sony. Unlike the Wii, this gift was accepted by the Royal Family.
- Security Concerns: The Palace has strict protocols for accepting and rejecting gifts to ensure the security and dignity of the Royal Family.
Conclusion:
While the Queen never got to use the 24-karat gold Wii herself, the console has become an interesting footnote in gaming history. The gift may have been rejected for security reasons, but it still holds significance as a testament to the Queen’s connection to gaming.
Here is a summary of the article in a table format:
| Feature | Description | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Gift | 24-karat gold-plated Nintendo Wii console | $300,000 |
| Recipient | Queen Elizabeth II | |
| Reason for rejection | Security concerns | |
| Current owner | Donny Fillerup, an IT administrator | Unknown |
| Original purpose | Publicity stunt by THQ |
Please let me know if there are any changes you need to make.