How much do you all get excited about your birthday? It is a day to celebrate your existence on this earth. Birthdays are seen as days to thank god and your parents for allowing you to be born. Who dislikes birthdays? I don’t think anybody would. It comes once in a year and it would be filled with your loved ones, party, dance, celebration, and gifts. It is one of the most loved and awaited days of one’s life.
But how would it feel to have two birthdays every year? Do you celebrate it the same way? The Queen celebrates two birthdays each year, one in April(her actual birthday) and the other in June. But why does The Queen have two birthdays? And when is queen Elizebeth’s birthday? You will learn more about Queen Elizabeth ii birthdays.
Why Does the Queen Have 2 Birthdays?
Why does Queen Elizabeth have two birthdays? Because it’s a tradition that has been followed since 1748. In the past, kings and queens celebrated two birthdays a year. It all began with King George 2. His actual birthday was in November but due to unpredictable or unpleasant weather conditions, he wanted to celebrate his birthday in sunny and nice weather so that he can enjoy his birthday with a big public celebration. He then decided to combine it with a birthday parade and that is how the public summer birthdays started.
1. The Two Birthday Tradition Has Been Followed since 1752.
- A. True
- B. False
Queen Elizabeth’s actual birthday is on April 21st, 1926 and another birthday is celebrated on the second Saturday of June every year.
How Does She Celebrate Her Birthdays?
Usually, on her actual birthdays, she spends time with her family. The second birthday that is celebrated on the second Saturday of June is supposed to be celebrated with the public. Usually, on April 21st, it begins with 41-gun salute in Hyde Park, 21- gun salute in Windsor Great Park, and 61-gun salute at the Tower of London. The Trooping the Color parade or Queen’s birthday parade is one of the most famous celebrations that is held in Central London. It marks the official birthday of the British Monarch. The Mall outside Buckingham Palace is filled with people celebrating and waving flags to watch the show. Hundreds and thousands of soldiers, musicians, and horses take part in the show to entertain people. The queen and other family members visit Buckingham place’s balcony to watch the aerial displays by the royal air force. The Trooping the Color parade travels from Horse Guards Parade to Buckingham palace and also a 41-gun salute is fired. The guards taking part in the parade are from the Household division, one of the oldest regiments of the British army since the civil war ended in 1660. Each regiment has its own color and symbol. The ‘color’ in the name represents the different colors that represent the army. Each troop marches forward with their flags representing their regiment. This is called “Trooping the Color”. At the beginning of the ceremony, The Queen is honored with a royal salute from the soldiers and the trooping gets over with a second salute to the Queen.
For the first time in 68 years, the Queen’s birthday was canceled this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The Queen and Prince Philip have been quarantined in Windsor Castle since march hence, a small ceremony with military musicians was held on their doorstep on 13th June 2020. The Queen was greeted with a royal salute, once the band of the household division performed, she was greeted with a second solute while departing. Every year, people get to watch the Trooping the Color ceremony live but this year, it was telecasted live on TV.