Answers 1

Oh dear, I have led myself into a whole lot of research now! Why does Queen Elizabeth have 2 birthdays? It seems to be a difficult one to answer! Apparently, it has long been customary to celebrate the Sovereign’s birthday on a day during the summer.

Since 1805 the Sovereign’s ‘Official’ birthday has been marked by the Trooping the Colour ceremony, normally held on the second Saturday in June. Funny that, as I thought the Queens Official birthday was on the 3rd Saturday in June!! More research is needed!!

Actually before I go on, I know some of my American friends are probably going to ask "what is Trooping the Colour?"

This is a ceremony which originated when it was essential for soldiers to recognise the flag or ‘Colour’ of their regiment so that they could follow it into battle. Each year one of the five regiments of the foot guards (Grenadiers, Coldstream Guards, Scots, Irish and Welsh Guards) take turns to display their Colour in the ceremony.
The ceremony begins with the Queen leaving Buckingham Palace escorted by the Household Cavalry. She rides down The Mall to Horse Guards Parade and inspects the 500 guardsmen.

The Colour is trooped by being carried along the ranks of guardsmen, and the Colour party then leads the guards on a march past the Queen, accompanied by the massed bands of the foot guards.

Back to the Queens birthdays! The tradition of having an Official birthday for the Sovereign was begun for practical reasons. Monarchs who had their birthdays in the winter months often encountered problems due to cold, wet weather spoiling parades and other outdoor celebrations.

King Edward VII, who was born on 9 November, was the first Sovereign to mark his official birthday on a separate day to his actual birthday throughout his reign, holding celebrations in either May or June.

Subsequent Monarchs had birthdays which fell at convenient times of the year, but the tradition was revived by The Queen's father, King George VI. He was born in mid-December, and so also 'moved' his birthday to June, when fine weather was more likely, and thus the tradition of the Official birthday was established.

The Queen continues the tradition by celebrating her Official birthday in June each year. Apparently it can be on either the first or the second, and sometimes the third, Saturday in June! Prince Charles when (and if) he becomes King will also have an Official birthday as his birthday is in October, however, Prince William when he becomes King probably won't as his birthday is in June.

I looked at lots of web sites and they all say pretty much the same. SO...... it would seem that it is a long standing tradition that began when Edward the Seventh decided that November was too cold for celebrations!! I think the Trooping of the Colour is a ceremony that happens to be around the same time so we now have it on the Queens Birthday.

Anyway, in conclusion, as my "actual" birthday is in October when it is obviously too cold for celebrations, then it would seem that I must be entitled to an Official birthday!

So that's Official then!!