Happy ‘Official’ Birthday to the Queen!

Happy ‘Official’ Birthday to the Queen!

Did you know that The Queen celebrates two birthdays each year? Her actual birthday falls on the 21^st of April , which she usually spends privately, probably with her family and those closest to her. However, it has long been tradition in the United Kingdom, for the king or queen to have a second ‘official’ birthday which is held on a Saturday in June (the 13th June this year). This is because there is a greater chance of good weather for the Birthday Parade, which is also known as ‘Trooping the Colour’.

This military ceremony dates right back to the early eighteenth century, and involves an impressive display by the Queen’s guards. After this ceremony takes place the Queen then rides in a carriage back to Buckingham Palace before taking the salute at the Palace on a special royal throne. The Queen then joins other members of the Royal Family on the palace balcony to watch the Royal Air Force perform a ceremonial flight over the palace.

Her official birthday is also publicly celebrated by gun salutes all across London! There is a 41 gun salute in Hyde Park, a 62 gun salute at the Tower of London and a 21 gun salute in Windsor Great Park. There will be lots of exciting things happening all over the city and it will probably be even busier than usual in London this weekend!

If you aren’t visiting London this weekend, you can watch the parade as it is broadcast live on the BBC. Everyone here at LSI Portsmouth would like to wish The Queen a very happy ‘official’ birthday!