Today is the Queen’s official birthday! She actually has two birthdays – this has been a tradition with many monarchs in the past. Often, kings and queens celebrated their actual birthday privately and held national celebrations on a different date, o often at a time of year when the weather is typically sunnier and drier.
This year is also an extra special birthday, as it celebrates a Royal Jubilee. February 2022 marked 70 years on the throne for Queen Elizabeth, and this is being marked with an extra bank holiday and various events around the country.
Here are some of the celebrations that will be taking place up and down the country.
Trooping the Colour is also known as the Queen's Birthday Parade. Parading soldiers, horses and musicians will gather, beginning at Buckingham Palace, and make their way down the Mall to the Horse Guard's Parade. The parade will close with the RAF fly-past, and the Queen will watch from the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
Many royal events have been celebrated by the lighting of beacons in towns and on mountains and cliff tops around the country. However, this time, different cities across the Commonwealth will join in to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee.
The Big Jubilee Lunch encourages people to gather and celebrate the Jubilee with their friends, families and neighbours. Some people will throw parties on their street, some will enjoy a barbeque in the garden and others might prefer to share a pot of tea with a close friend!
If you are interested in seeing what events have been organised near to you, there is an interactive map online where you can search for events. https://platinumjubilee.gov.uk/events/