Although little is known about the Queen’s private life, there are enough clues to create the strong impression that she has been a keen user of contemporary technology throughout her reign. From the first computers to digital connectivity, from recording songs on a cassette recorder to running the Royal train on biofuel, from enjoying computer games to driving hybrid cars, the monarch has stayed in touch with technology trends for more than 70 years. Here we take the opportunity of her Platinum Jubilee to review some of the technologies the Her Majesty is known to have used through the decades, plus a few that we think might come to the rescue of the royal household from time to time.

1950s

When the Queen and the late Prince Philip wed in 1947, post-war food rationing was still in place and so they had to scrounge ingredients for their 9ft (2.7m)-tall wedding cake. Donors from as far afield as Australia chipped in with ingredients, earning the eight...