UPDATE:We join the world in mouning the passing of the world's longest reigning monarch, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
It is expected that the tradition of celebrating the monarch's birthday will continue in 2023, when the public holiday will be known as the King's Birthday.
Before her passing on September 8, 2022 Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her 96th birthday on Saturday, June 11, 2022 with a party fit for a queen!
On her official birthday, Her Majesty was joined by other members of the Royal Family with a public appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
The general public also watched a spectacular "Trooping the Colour" parade which moves between Buckingham Palace, The Mall and Horseguards’ Parade.
And, this year, the celebration was all preceded by The Queen's Platinum Jubilee -- from Thursday June 2 to Sunday, June 5, 2022 -- marking the Queen's 70 years of service having acceded to the throne in 1952 when Her Majesty was 25 years old.
Also marking the occasion, watch for the traditional Queen's Birthday Parade (Trooping of the Colour) to be held during the spectacular Platinum Jubilee weekend instead of the traditional second Saturday in June this year.
All about the Queen's Birthday
Although
she was actually born on April 21, the official birthday of Queen
Elizabeth II is celebrated each year on a weekend
in June for purely practical reasons. The day usually presents
more acceptable weather for a public party!
If you're not in town on the big day, the festivities traditionally air live, all or in part, on BBC One.
As well as in London and Windsor, events
related to the Queen's Birthday are scheduled throughout Great
Britain. Meanwhile, in New
Zealand (first Monday in June), Australia (second Monday in June), and in Canada,
(on the last weekend in May) schools are usually closed and bank holidays
also celebrate with a day off.
Queen's birthday fun facts
A 1924 London Underground poster told
commuters how to get to the celebration.
• The first British monarch to celebrate their birthday in June was King Edward VII. Although born on November 9, his official birthday was usually marked in May or June when there was a greater likelihood of good weather for a public celebration.
• In the UK, the most watched event of the day is the historic military ceremony known as Trooping the Colour - with a parade down The Mall to Horse Guards Parade. That also includes fly-past of military aircraft and gun salutes at Hyde Park fired at high noon.
• Today, Australia is the only country in the world to celebrate the Queen's Birthday not once, but TWICE. While most of the country observes the day on the second Monday in June, Western Australia celebrates the Queen's birthday on the last Monday in September or the first Monday in October.
• Although unmarked by celebrations or hoopla, Queen Elizabeth II became the world's longest reigning monarch on September 9, 2015 at the age of 89.
More about the Queen's birthday around the Web:
Around the Web, find out more at top sites offering facts, information, picture galleries and historical background celebrating the
life and times of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II ...
The Queen's Birthdays - The official
Royal Family web site explains the tradition and celebrations with more on the Trooping the Colour.