The Queen's Birthday
The Queen's public birthday usually falls on the
second Saturday in June
by Liz Olson
Two birthdays for one queen: 21 April and (usually) the second Saturday in
June
Every child's dream of two birthdays is a reality for Queen
Elizabeth II. She celebrates her actual birthday on 21 April (1926) and a
public birthday, which usually falls on the second Saturday in
June. In 2008, the Queen's birthday will be celebrated on Saturday 14 June.
King Edward VII starts the summer birthday tradition
An official birthday for the Sovereign became a tradition for
practical reasons. Because monarchs who were born in the winter often
encountered weather problems during celebrations, a public holiday was
created in the summer when there's a better chance of good weather. King
Edward VII, who was born on 9 November 1841, was the first Sovereign to
celebrate his official birthday on a separate day than his actual birthday.
Festivities were held in either May or June. Queen Elizabeth II’s
father, King George VI, who was born in mid-December, established the
tradition of the official birthday.
Queen Elizabeth's annual birthday bash
Held on the second Saturday of
June, the official birthday is marked by the Trooping the Colour ceremony,
the flying of the Union flag on government buildings, a 42-gun salute at
noon, and the publication of The Queen's Birthday Honours List. Queen Elizabeth II
usually spends her actual birthday privately at Windsor with friends and
family.
Queen's Day in Australia and New Zealand
The Queen's birthday is celebrated in Australia and New
Zealand as well, where they take two days off from work. Most Australians
mark the public holiday on the second Monday in June, although in Western
Australia they celebrate on the last Monday in September or the first Monday
in October. New Zealanders observe the Queen’s official birthday on
the first Monday in June.
Fun Fact: Queen Elizabeth II's birthday was
celebrated on the second Thursday of June for the first seven years of her
reign. When midweek became inconvenient, it was changed to Saturdays.
Information Please® Database, © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
