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| Queen Elizabeth II |
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| Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip |
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| Royal Family |
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| Queen's horses |
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| Queen's favourite dogs |
The Queen’s Birthday
The kings and queens of the United Kingdom celebrate
two birthdays every year. Queen Elizabeth II was born on April 21st 1926. This
is her real birthday. She also has an official birthday on a Saturday in June.
On April 21st the Queen spends a quiet day with her
family and friends. At midday there are gun salutes in London - a 41-gun salute
in Hyde Park, a 21-gun salute in Windsor Great Park and a 62-gun salute in the
Tower of London.
On special birthdays the National Anthem is played on
the radio. There aren't any big celebrations in April.
The main celebrations are in June, because the weather
is usually better than in April. On her official birthday the Queen and her
family watch soldiers in a parade called the Trooping of the Colour. Thousands
of people from around the world watch the Birthday Parade with her. This
tradition started in 1748. It's the biggest royal celebration of the year in
Britain.
