Have you ever had a birthday ruined by inclement weather? If so, it’s a dead give-away that you’re not the Queen of England. Her Majesty Elizabeth II was born on April 21, 1926, a time of year renown for its abundant rain. And if you are the Queen of the world’s most famous monarchy, that simply will not do.
As a result, Elizabeth II celebrates both her actual birthday and her “official” birthday on the most pleasant Saturday in June. The latter is marked by the Trooping the Colour parade, for which other members of the royal family gather fete the Queen. This year’s Trooping takes place on June 13, in case you’re short on birthday parties to attend this summer.
Then-Princess Elizabeth as a very young baby in 1926.Bob Thomas—Popperfoto/Getty ImagesThen-Princess Elizabeth on her 13th birthday in April 1939.APOfficial portrait of then-Princess Elizabeth, taken three days before her 21st birthday in April 1947.AFP/Getty ImagesThe royal family gathers on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch the Trooping the Colour ceremony on the Queen's official birthday in June 1957. Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesQueen Elizabeth II, rides out from Buckingham Palace in London to take the salute at the ceremony of Trooping the Colour to celebrate her official birthday in June 1960.APThe Queen Elizabeth II on her 50th birthday in April 1976. AFP/Getty ImagesQueen Elizabeth II leaves St Paul's Cathedral in London after a service of thanksgiving in honor of her official 80th birthday in June 2006. John D McHugh—AFP/Getty ImagesQueen Elizabeth II rides in an open carriage as she attends the Trooping the Colour ceremony to celebrate her official birthday in London in June 2010. Paul Hackett—ReutersThe Red Arrows make a flypast during the Trooping The Colour parade at Buckingham Palace, in London on June 13, 2015. Tim Ireland—APQueen Elizabeth II stands on the balcony of Buckingham Palace with members of the royal family after the Trooping the Colour ceremony to celebrate her official birthday in June 2013. Paul Hackett—ReutersQueen Elizabeth II leaves the Horse Guards Parade for the Trooping the Colour ceremony in London to celebrate her official birthday in June 2013. Facundo Arrizabalaga—EPAQueen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip leave Buckingham Palace to attend the Trooping the Colour ceremony in London to celebrate her official birthday in June 2010. Suzanne Plunkett—Reuters
