Happy Birthday, Your Majesty
April 21, 2016
Today, April 21, is the 90th birthday of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II. She is the oldest monarch in British history. Queen Elizabeth’s great-great grandmother, Victoria (1819-1901), and ancestor George III (1738-1820) came closest; both monarchs lived to be 81 years of age. On Sept. 9, 2015, Elizabeth II also became the British monarch with the longest reign. On that day, she surpassed Victoria, who was on the throne for 63 years, 216 days.
In addition to the actual day of her birth, Queen Elizabeth II has a second, official birthday during the summer. This year it will be held on June 11. The tradition of an official birthday for the monarch began with George II (1683-1760). He was born in November, but it was often too cold in the United Kingdom for his birthday ceremony known as trooping the colour. The celebration, then—and his birthday—moved to the warmer months of summer. Since George II, all British monarchs have had the option of celebrating a summertime “official” birthday in addition to their actual day of birth.
Today, thousands of well-wishers greeted the queen as she walked the streets of Windsor, the home of Windsor Castle. Elizabeth unveiled a plaque for The Queen’s Walkway, a 4-mile (6.3-kilometer) trail at the foot of Castle Hill in Windsor. The Queen and her husband, Prince Philip, also toured the town in an open-top Land Rover dubbed the “Queenmobile.” Tonight, Elizabeth will ignite the first of 1,000 torches that will be lighted in her honor across the United Kingdom. She will also have a private birthday dinner with family and friends. Tomorrow, Queen Elizabeth II will celebrate at a luncheon with United States President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.