Happy birthday, The Queen! Today Her Majesty will celebrate her actual birthday (as opposed to her official birthday, which falls in June). Here’s a complete guide to why we celebrate her birthday twice each year.
So The Queen gets two birthdays? Yep. Her Majesty was born on April 21 1926, which is her actual birthday. She turns 88 this year and will celebrate her official birthday on June 14.
Why does she get two? It’s tradition – the sovereign is given two birthdays if their birth date is not in the summer. This is because there will be a better chance of good weather for the birthday parade (otherwise known as Trooping the Colour).
So is this a thing? Have other kings and queens done this? Yes. All British monarchs have been given the option of having two birthdays since 1748. Edward VII, whose birthday fell in November, did it too.
Does she get presents? And cake? Well, we don’t know. The Queen celebrates her actual birthday in private (although last year she spent the day at the races) but we like to think she tucks in to a very regal slice of birthday cake on occasion.
At midday on April 21, she will get a 41 gun salute in Hyde Park, a 21 gun salute in Windsor Great Park and a 62 gun salute at the Tower of London at midday.
So surely this day is a national holiday. Do we get a day off? No, but you’re welcome to toast her if you like. Some places in the Commonwealth (such as Australia and New Zealand) get a public holiday on her official birthday, but we’re not so lucky. Wetin concern naija sef? Time no dey
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