Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [...], was born on 21 April 1926. She celebrates her birthday in private, with no public ceremony. On the second Saturday of June, the ceremony of Trooping the Colour is taken at Horseguard's Parade in central London. Until 1987, the Queen would take the parade on horseback, but her advanced age has excused her from that now: she takes it seated in a carriage. There is a whole website dedicated to the ceremony, which I would like to link to.
Queen Elizabeth II will be on the throne until her death. Prince Charles is next in line for the throne, but there are voices of doubt within the UK, whether he should give way to his eldest son, Prince William.
Her Majesty, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands was on born on 31 January 1938. She too celebrates her birthday in private, but a public ceremony takes place on 30 April. Her mother, the late Princess Juliana (who was Queen between 1948 and 1980), had her birthday on that day. Juliana had the people come to her palace at the town of Soestdijk, east of Amsterdam, for a file-past. Beatrix decided to come to the people. Each year in her reign (she ascended the Orange throne 27 years ago) she visits two towns in one of the twelve provinces in the Netherlands, with a clutter of relatives in tow. Public festivities are laid on in all towns in the country. Read more here.
I foresee Queen Beatrix abdicating, like her mother did, to make way for her eldest son, Willem Alexander. He is 40 this year. Beatrix was 42 when she ascended the throne.
That was interesting Guido I saw Queen Beatrix ,when she opened 'Queens Gate ' shopping centre in Peterborough 25 years ago ,lovely lady ,very Regal ...love Jan xx
ReplyDeleteThe last time I saw the Queen in real life was when she drove through Glasgow after her Coronation. I wore my First Holy Communion dress especially to wave to her. Interesting entry Guidos. Jeanie
ReplyDeleteQueen Elizabeth II has been in our local news quite a bit recently because she is going to be attending The Kentucky Derby on Saturday. Quite a bit of excitement in the area!
ReplyDeleteLori
I've never seen the Queen even though she's been here. So has Charles. I did get to see Fergie and Andrew once. Those are the only royals I've seen.
ReplyDeleteI still can't believe the Queen is 80! That's unreal to me. She's ageless in my eyes. I can't imagine her not being Queen.
Pam
I think I'd like Queen Beatrix:) Even if I learned how to spell my middle name from a coin my father gave me with Queen Elizabeth on it.
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