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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Zoe Forsey

Why Queen has two birthdays - and how she picked date for official one

As well as the fancy jewels, palaces and trips around the world, one of the big perks of being Queen is getting two birthdays.

The Monarch's real birthday is on April 21, but she also has an official one in June.

The tradition was introduced 250 years ago and it's still going strong - but why?

Well, in what may be one of the most British excuses ever, it's all because of the weather.

Since 1748, the monarch's official birthday has been marked by the parade known as Trooping the Colour.

But Edward VII, who reigned from 1901 to 1910, was born in November - which obviously isn't the best time of year for a huge outdoor celebration.

(Rex Features)

So instead, he moved Trooping of the Colour to May or June because there was less chance of it being cold and drizzly on the big day.

The monarch after Edward VII - George V - helpfully had a birthday in June, but the Queen's father, George VI, whose birthday was in December, reintroduced the tradition of an official birthday, which Elizabeth II has continued.

The Queen's father George VI brought the tradition back (Getty)

There isn't a set date for the Queen's official birthday, and it is instead typically held on the second Saturday of June.

George VI used to do it on the second Thursday of the month, but the Queen changed it to the weekend for convenience.

Trooping the Colour, a military parade which dates back to the 17th Century, is a highlight in the royal calendar.

It sees more than 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians to perform for the Monarch.

The Queen is spending her 94th birthday with her husband Prince Philip (Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)

The most famous moment from the annual celebration is when the entire royal family come together on the Buckingham Palace balcony to wave to well-wishers.

It's normally the only time we get all generations of the Royal Family - including the Monarch, Prince Charles, Kate, William, George, Charlotte and Louis together.

However this year's celebration, along with the Queen's real birthday celebrations, has been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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