The late Queen Elizabeth II is known to have had a love for martinis – and it turns out she used to order the cocktail before meeting guests on board a flight.

Flight attendant Elizabeth Evans documented the monarch’s travel habits, among those of other celebrities, in a collection of memorabilia which is up for auction, reports the Daily Mail UK. The late British Airways stewardess was on duty during the Queen and Prince Philip’s tour of Singapore and Malaysia in 1989.

The staff on those flights were reportedly under detailed instructions – for example, regarding how to make the Queen’s bed, though she brought her own pillows. They also had to make sure there was a bowl of mints next to the Queen for takeoff and also one in her dressing room.

She also reportedly enjoyed following the plane’s route on a map. If she happened to be asleep when the plane landed, the staff were told not to wake her.

Related story: The food the Royal Family refuses to eat when dining out 

One instruction reads, “Her Majesty tends to like a martini before her guests arrive”, while another noted the monarch should be asked which wine to serve with the evening meal. The Queen decided to stop drinking martinis a year before she died after discovering they were not good for her joint health. It’s known the Queen also enjoyed a gin and Dubonnet around lunchtime, sweet wine with dinner, and a nightcap of a martini.

Hansons Auctioneers owner Charles Hanson said of Evans’ memorabilia, “Elizabeth’s archive sweeps us back in time to the 1970s, 80s and 90s, when flying on Concorde was a luxurious privilege enjoyed by the wealthy jet-set.”

“Take that 1989 British Airways royal flight. Her memorabilia includes confidential instructions on how to care for our late Queen and Prince Philip – right down to the sweets Her Majesty preferred for takeoff. The Queen liked to have a bowl of Velamints at hand and in her dressing room. The instructions also stated she ‘tends to like a martini before her guests arrive’… also, if Her Majesty was asleep prior to landing, cabin crew were instructed not to disturb her. She should be left in her bed.”

Bonus royal travel fact #1: The Queen didn’t require a passport

She was the only British person who didn’t need a passport to travel, as they were issued in her name. The Royal Family website explained: “As a British passport is issued in the name of Her Majesty, it is unnecessary for The Queen to possess one.” Now King Charles no longer requires one, since he ascended the throne. Even without a passport, the King or Queen still needs to go through identity checks when travelling in and out of the UK, including name, age and address. All other royal family members must have a passport.

Bonus royal travel fact #2: Royal heirs aren’t permitted to fly together

When travelling abroad, royal heirs are not allowed to travel with their parent, in case of an accident. This is to protect the royal family’s lineage, to prevent them from losing all of the heirs in one incident. Currently, Prince William, Prince George, and Princess Charlotte are permitted to travel together. However, this arrangement is expected to change when George turns 12 in July 2025. King Charles will be able to grant special circumstances to allow them to fly together, though.

Bonus royal travel fact #3: When they travel, the royals have to have a black outfit packed

Another morbid travel rule they must follow is always packing a black outfit. This is in case a member of the royal family dies while the rest of the family are abroad, so they can be seen to show their mourning clothes. The Queen famously was not prepared for this while she was on tour as a young lady, only for her father, who was the king, to pass away.

Bonus royal travel fact #4: They often travel with an emergency blood supply 

It isn’t just a black outfit they need – sometimes they have an emergency blood supply while travelling abroad. Royal expert Duncan Larcombe said they would have their own bag of blood as part of the emergency medical kit “just in case something happens” and they need a supply of the royal’s blood type. Gordon Rayner, who attended more than 20 royal tours, said their doctor would have the back-up supply in case there is a shortage when they need it.

This article originally appeared on escape.com.au. It has been published here with permission.

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