Surprise Queen Elizabeth Has Two Birthdays

Jun 07, 2019 by apost team

The Royal Family are no strangers to ceremony. It’s customary for them to celebrate and commemorate events all throughout the year and when it comes to their birthdays, sometimes it’s twice a year.

Last year, Prince Charles celebrated his 70th birthday six months in advance of his real one on November 14. His son Prince Harry even poked fun at this double event in his speech to his “Pa,” concluding by saying “With that, Ladies and Gentlemen, please can I ask you to join me in wishing The Prince of Wales a very Happy Birthday – 6 months ahead of his 70th! How very Royal!”

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Prince Charles’ mother Queen Elizabeth II also has two birthdays recognized—The day she was born on April 21, 1926 and her “official” birthday in June. This day is commemorated with the annual “Trooping the Colour” event.

Queen Elizabeth’s ancestors began the ceremony over 250 years ago according to the BBC. In 1748 King George II decided that since he was born in November, a terrible month for weather in the United Kingdom, he should have his big celebrations in the summer month of June. The monarchy has held on to this tradition since, and “Trooping the Colour” is how they do so.

It is a huge parade with over 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians. The RAF will perform an aerial display, and the Royal Family will address the gathered crowd at Buckingham Palace. Wow, sounds like any run-of-the-mill birthday party. Traditionally, the immediate family will appear, but it is unknown whether Meghan Markle will appear this year as she is on maternity leave, reports the Express.

This year the celebration happens on June 8 and will be live-streamed by the BBC. If you happen to be in London at the time and would like to join the crowd, do not wear denim. The Queen does not approve.

Don’t worry, the Queen still celebrates on her actual birthday in the rainy spring month of April. Her family will attend a private event with her while there are gun salutes all over London in her honor, according to the Royal Family’s official website. They also list the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales birthdays.

How very Royal indeed. What do you think about the double birthday tradition? Would you like to follow in these regal footsteps? Let us know what you think.