The Queen turns 90 – Royal Central

Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to reach their 90^th birthday, marking the occasion on 21 April 2016, though her official birthday celebrations took place in June. Today, on her 96^th birthday, let’s revisit the major events that occurred on this milestone birthday in 2016.

The Queen celebrated her actual birthday in Windsor. The day before her birthday, she attended an event at the Royal Mail delivery service in Windsor to celebrate its 500^th anniversary, and opened the bandstand at Alexandra’s Gardens.

On 21 April, her birthday, she undertook a walkabout at Windsor Castle and unveiled a plaque commemorating the day on the Queen’s Walkway. She also lit a beacon, that was part of a chain of 1,000 beacons lit across the United Kingdom, to mark the event.

The Queen also released a short message to everyone else celebrating their 90^th birthdays on that date: “I send my best wishes to those who are celebrating their ninetieth birthday on 21 April 2016.  On this shared occasion, I send my warm congratulations to you all. Elizabeth R.”

In May, the birthday celebrations continued at Windsor, with The Queen, Prince Philip and other members of the Royal Family attending a special presentation of the Royal Windsor Horse Show in her honour. The Show was part of a special four-day birthday celebration that featured 900 horses and other special performers.

In June, The Queen was the cover star of that month’s Vanity Fair, featuring new portraits taken by acclaimed photographer Annie Leibovitz. The most famous featured The Queen and all of her young grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Lady Louise and James, Viscount Severn, children of the Earl and Countess of Wessex; Prince George and Princess Charlotte, children of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge; Savannah and Isla Phillips, daughters of Peter and Autumn Phillips; and Mia Tindall, daughter of Zara and Mike Tindall.

Over the weekend of 10-12 June, The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh led members of the Royal Family at official celebration events.

Though 10 June was also his 95^th birthday, Prince Philip insisted that there be no public fuss over his birthday. Instead, the royals attended a national Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral in London.

On 11 June, Trooping the Colour took place, along with the traditional flypast over Buckingham Palace. On 12 June, The Queen attended the Patron’s Lunch—a national street party attended by 10,000 people—to celebrate her patronage of over 600 organisations and charities that she supports in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.

At the Patron’s Lunch, her grandson and heir, Prince William, said “My family has had plenty of reason to celebrate since the Queen turned 90 in April: The Queen’s strong health and relentless energy; her sharp wit and famous sense of humour; and the fact that the Queen remains very much at the helm of our family, our nation and the Commonwealth.”

The Queen herself took a much more humorous approach to thanking well-wishers at the Patron’s Lunch: “I much appreciate the kindness of all your birthday wishes and have been delighted and moved by the many cards and messages I have received. How I will feel if people are still singing happy birthday in December remains to be seen!”