Long Live The Queen!

Saturday, 11 June, marked the official birthday of Queen Elizabeth and was quite a celebration….the whole weekend!

To start off the joyous time, on Friday, bells rang in celebration from St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.

The queen’s milestone birthday was marked with a three-day series of festivities that included solemn religious events and street parties in many towns and cities.

The celebration has been a lengthy affair, starting with her real birthday in April. The monarch’s official birthday is traditionally celebrated in June when Britain’s weather can be more favorable.  It is believed that the tradition of the reigning monarch having two birthday celebrations started during the reign of King George II in 1748 and was set in motion only because of weather conditions.

Elizabeth, dressed in a yellow coat-dress and matching hat, and her husband Prince Philip attended a service of thanksgiving at St. Paul’s Friday, on what was Philip’s 95th birthday.

She turned to smile at a crowd of well-wishers singing “Happy Birthday” as she climbed the cathedral steps.

They were joined by Prince Charles and his wife Camilla and Prince William and his wife Kate.  Harry of course was there too!

On Saturday, after the royal family paraded through the streets of the London on horse-drawn carriages for the Trooping of the Colour, an annual birthday celebration that dates back to the 17th century when regiments used it as a rally battle, they emerged on the balcony at Buckingham Palace to take in the rest of the festivities.

On Sunday, the Mall in front of the palace hosted lunch for roughly 10,000 charity workers, patrons and members of the royal family.

Street parties were in full swing in many locations, including some in Commonwealth countries and also in the United States.

Along the Mall, the road directly in front of Buckingham Palace, there was a giant street party to which the Queen’s charities were invited.  Many royals came out for this party

…certainly a grand finale to a non-stop weekend.  The weather was quite typically English and the plastic rain ponchos which were provided along with a picnic hamper to all who bought tickets for this event were much needed.  There were no tents, and it was a sodden day.

“It’s wonderful,” said Eric Armstrong with a trace of sarcasm. He came from Christchurch, England, with his wife — only to huddle under a tree to stay dry.  “We’re English aren’t we?” he said. “That what we do.”

After the three-day extravaganza, the queen is expected to turn her attention to the horse racing season and her lengthy summer holiday in Scotland.

God save The Queen!