During World War II, protecting the Royal Family's Crown Jewels — treasured gems the family's acquired since 1660 — was so top secret even Queen Elizabeth II didn't know exactly where they were stored. She was a teen at that time, but it wasn't until recently that she learned the truth, during the filming of a BBC documentary.

All those years ago, they were kept safe from Nazis ... in a biscuit tin. Before you slap your knee and chuckle, "Royals, they're just like us," it's a bit more complicated than that. The Bath Oliver biscuit tin wasn't just stored on a shelf in the pantry at Buckingham Palace, like how your mom stored leftovers in old Country Crock tubs. Officials dug a hole under one of the secure entries to the castle (known as a sally port), The Times reported.

Crown Jewelspinterest
Tristan Fewings

Each night, the excavation site would be covered with tarps so that if German planes flew overhead, they wouldn't suspect anything. Two chambers were constructed with steel doors, to further protect the jewels, which were stored inside, in the tin.

This news was revealed while filming The Coronation — set to air on BBC One on Sunday — during an interview the Queen had with royal commentator Alastair Bruce. For decades, speculation has swirled over where gems from the Crown Jewels were stored. Some said they'd been stored in a cave in Wales; others swore they were in a vault in Canada, or a secret tunnel in Devon, according to The Times.

Purple, Hat, Headgear, Flower, Fashion accessory, Floristry, Plant, Costume hat, Headpiece, Smile, pinterest
Getty Images

It was the librarian and assistant keeper of the Queen's Archives who uncovered the true story, in a set of letters former royal librarian Sir Owen Morshead had sent Queen Mary. King George VI ordered the secret burial, the BBC reported, having stones from the Imperial State Crown and the Black Prince's Ruby placed in the metal tin. A trapdoor used to access that secret hideaway still exists to this day.

So ... royals, they're kind of like us. If you once had a secret underground steel chamber to hold your priceless heirlooms. Oh, and follow a rule that you must stop eating as soon as your fam's matriarch has decided she's full.

Follow Delish on Instagram.

Download the Delish app.

From: Delish US