The Queen's Birthday
What ? The Queen has two birthdays? Yes ! Actually, she celebrates two birthdays each year, her actual birthday on April 21st and her official birthday on the second Saturday in June. The Queen’s official birthday is considered as a national day, this day celebrates the Sovereign’s birthday.
The day dates back to 1748 in the United Kingdom, for King George II, his official birthday was celebrated on the second Thursday of June. He was born in November but he felt the weather would be better in June. Now, celebrated on the second Saturday of June, so more people could enjoy it.
The day is celebrated in some Commonwealth countries: the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Saint Kitts and Nevis but some parts of Scotland also celebrate this day.
The Queen spends her actual birthday privately but 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.
In 2006, Her Majesty celebrated her 80th Birthday with a walkabout in the streets outside to meet people. The band of the Irish Guards played Happy Birthday as she emerged from Windsor Castle.
The Queen celebrates her official birthday on the second Saturday of June, but events also take place in May and in June. For example, in 2016, it was the Queen’s 90th official birthday. The Queen's 90th Birthday Celebration was a show with 900 horses and more than 1,500 riders and performers. The event was held every evening from May 12th to 15th. The Queen attended the final evening
The day is celebrated by a show called trooping the Colour also known as the Queen Birthday Parade, it takes place in Horse Guards Parade behind Whitehall. Last year, the show took place on June 11th. It’s a chance for her majesty to inspect soldiers from the Household Division. Then, she goes to the palace balcony joined by her family to watch the Royal Air Force fly-past.
The list of Birthday Honours is also announced during the Official Birthday celebrations. This year, there are more than 120 pages. The British honours system consist in 3 parts of award: honours, decorations and medals, it’s to recognize merit, good conduct, services etc. People nominated can refuse the honour, for example, David Bowie and John Lennon declined. Maggie Smith, actress, received the Companion of Honour from the Queen in 2014 for services to drama.
I think that this festival is not really for the foreigners. For French people, it’s probably difficult to understand how important it is for British people but I would like to attend this festival once in my life
To find out more :
https://www.gov.uk/honours/honours-lists or http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-36497755