Queen Elizabeth is set to continue her reign as the longest-serving British monarch as she turns 93 this year.
But unlike everyone else in Britain, the Queen marks her birthday on two different days.
If you’re wondering why HRH marks the occasion twice, here’s everything you need to know about her upcoming celebrations.
When is the Queen’s real birthday?
The Queen will be celebrating the anniversary of the day she was born this weekend, on Sunday April 21.
When is the Queen’s official birthday?
She also has a second ‘official’ birthday on the second Saturday in June. This year it will fall on June 8.
Why does she celebrate her birthday twice?
It's all down to the British weather.
The tradition for celebrating the King or Queen’s birthday twice was brought into practice by George II in 1748.
The King, who was born in November, felt the weather would be too cold and wet at that time of year for his annual birthday parade.
As a result, he combined his birthday event with the annual military parade ‘Trooping the Colour’.
Ever since, British monarchs have celebrated their ‘official’ birthdays in the summer months.
Is the Queen's official birthday always on the same day?
No - originally the Queen celebrated her official birthday on the second Thursday of June, the same day which her father George VI celebrated his official birthday while he was king.
In 1959, after seven years on the throne, the Queen changed it to the second Saturday for convenience.
How will she be celebrating her birthday this year?
Her ‘official’ birthday in June is typically marked by gun salutes and 'Trooping the Colour', a tradition in which the Queen inspects her troops in a military pageantry parade.
She also usually appears on the balcony of Buckingham Palace with other members of the royal family, making for an iconic annual photo.
This year, the Queen is expected to spend her April birthday privately with close family.
You can join the celebrations at Hyde Park, where The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery are expected to fire a 41-round gun salute the day after her birthday at noon. The Honourable Artillery Company will fire a 62-round Salute from the Tower of London at 1pm.
However Her Majesty is spending her special day, we imagine it will involve a slice of her favourite chocolate cake - which she is reportedly never caught leaving the palace without.
