Who
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Style
  • Health
  • Beauty
  • Sexiest People
  • The Travel List
  • streaming
  • Video
Who
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Style
  • Health
  • Beauty
  • Sexiest People
  • The Travel List
  • streaming
  • Video
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Royals

Why the Queen has two birthdays

So many presents! - by Delicia Smith
  • 17 Apr 2019

It’s a big week for the royal family, with HRH Queen Elizabeth II celebrating her birthday on April 21, when she turns 93.

Why the Queen has two birthdays
Getty

The Queen celebrates two birthdays each year, with her actual birthday on April 21, and her official birthday on (usually) the second Saturday in June.

The reason why the Queen has two birthdays is a tradition that dates back hundreds of years. With official celebrations to mark the Sovereigns' birthday held on a day other than their actual birthday, particularly when the actual birthday isn’t during the British the summertime.

It began in 1748, with King George II, who was born in chilly November. Rather than have his subjects risk catching colds as they took to the streets to celebrate his birthday, he decided to combine his birthday celebration with the Trooping the Colour.

Queen Elizabeth II trooping the colour 2016

Queen Elizabeth at the Trooping the Colour Parade in 2016

Getty

While Queen Elizabeth II tends to spend her actual birthday in private with her close family, the occasion is marked publicly by gun salutes in central London at midday, 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. 

On her 90th birthday, in 2016, she walked through the streets of Windsor, much to the crowds’ delight.

Queen Elizabeth 90 birthday

The Queen met excited crowds who lined to streets of Windsor to celebrate her 90th birthday

Getty

And this year, as is tradition, on June 8, 2019, Her Majesty will parade through London as part of the opulent Trooping the Colour. 

The date of the "official" birthday can vary from year to year. For the first seven years of her reign, Queen Elizabeth II held her official birthday on a Thursday but has since switched over to Saturdays.

And while the date is tied to the Trooping the Colour in the UK, Commonwealth nations around the world have their own criteria, which generally involve recognising it as a public holiday.

Royal family trooping the colour 2018

The royal family take to the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch an RAF fly-by during the Trooping the Colour

Getty

Here in Australia, we observe the Queen's Birthday on the second Monday in June, with Western Australia holding its celebrations on the last Monday of September or the first Monday of October.

WATCH: The Queen educated William after 'giving up' on Charles says expert

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Royals
Delicia Smith

Subscribe to Who magazine-& save!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to Who magazine

Subscribe to Who magazine-& save!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to Who magazine

Recommended to you

Louis Tomlinson Calls James Corden Out
Watch 0:36

Louis Tomlinson Calls James Corden Out

{headline}

{headline}

The Crown star Olivia Colman says it’s “bizarre” Australians love the Queen

The Crown star Olivia Colman says it’s “bizarre” Australians love the Queen

What Will Happen When the Queen Dies?

What Will Happen When the Queen Dies?

WATCH: Shocking moment the Queen snaps at lady-in-waiting

WATCH: Shocking moment the Queen snaps at lady-in-waiting

BREAKING: Intruder breaks into the Queen's Palace

BREAKING: Intruder breaks into the Queen's Palace

{headline}

{headline}

Why the Queen REALLY missed Archie’s christening

Why the Queen REALLY missed Archie’s christening

WATCH: Why the Queen couldn’t stop laughing during farm visit

WATCH: Why the Queen couldn’t stop laughing during farm visit

Why William and Harry have broken the Queen’s heart

Why William and Harry have broken the Queen’s heart

{headline}

{headline}

The Queen’s real thoughts about Diana revealed in letter

The Queen’s real thoughts about Diana revealed in letter

Prince Philip’s attack on the Queen: ‘Who does she think she is?’

Prince Philip’s attack on the Queen: ‘Who does she think she is?’

The Queen and Kate share this incurable sickness

The Queen and Kate share this incurable sickness

The Queen is elegant in dove grey at Ascot

The Queen is elegant in dove grey at Ascot

The Queen SLAMMED Prince Charles over this tiny thing

The Queen SLAMMED Prince Charles over this tiny thing

The Queen banned this royal baby name

The Queen banned this royal baby name

WATCH: The Queen broke royal protocol and it was recorded on camera

WATCH: The Queen broke royal protocol and it was recorded on camera

Who
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Privacy
Who Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Privacy

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Home Beautiful
  • marie claire
  • Bounty Parents

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • All Recipes
  • Practical Parenting
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • 7mate
  • 7Sport
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Who

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to Who magazine-& save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to Who magazine