Royal protocol

[JDT]

Why does the queen have two birthdays

[Chillum]

I could well be wrong, but I think the second one was introduced simply because they were more likely to get a nice day for a parade in mid summer, as opposed to her actual bithday in April.

[Octavius]

No, you are right.

HMQ was actually born on 21 April 1926, but it has long been customary to celebrate the Soveriegn's birthday on a day during the summer.  Since 1805, the Soveriegn's 'official' birthday has been marked by the 'Trooping of the Colour' ceremony, normally held on the 2nd Saturday in June.

No particular ceremony is held on HMQs actual birthday, althoguh the union jack is flown on public buildings and the national anthem is sung. 

[cheyenne]

To show phil the greek whos boss!!

[woofgang]

to get two parties...

[landie]

She must be gettin' on a bit now?

[smudge]

landie - The Queen's DOB is 21.04.26, so she'll be 79 this year. I think she looks great for her age & has a lovely smile too.

[smudge]

Whoops - sorry Octavius, just noticed you'd already posted HM's DOB! More haste less speed.

[landie]

Surely she's older, she's had twice the number of birthdays.

[cheyenne]

landie ,that makes her 158 years old:Blimey!!so phil the greek is her toy boy.

[hopalong]

Smudge    if you had 24 hour attention  never needing to  work. do house work , make meals  and be very very rich would anyone look great at 79?

[smudge]

hopalong - I knew I'd get a bit of flak for saying something nice - you can't win!

I do understand what you mean, but I was talking in general terms. Money didn't give her a lovely smile & good bone structure, that's inherited. 

[bernardo]

hopalong - "never needing to work"?  Ha ha ha ha ha!!!

Apart from all the state and government papers and correspondence to deal with, meetings with officials and advisers, visits at home and abroad you mean. 

[smudge]

Thanks bernardo! You said what I wanted to say, but I knew I'd just get more flak!

[landie]

No I think she would be about 132 as she did not become Queen until 1952.

[hopalong]

Bernado.  Come on  Police, fire and ambulace, miners ect .people who have to get up in the morning and do a 9-5 job.  THAS what you call work not sitting in a hugh palace looking at a few papers and cutting a ribbon with scissors to open some art centre.  You call that work?  LOL

And Smudge  at 79 yeah she may have a nice smile but are so does most 79 year olds or is it only royalty that has lovely smiles?

[smudge]

hopalong - Of course the Queen & all the hangers on have very priviledged lives, but this has absolutely nothing to do with my comment on how good she looks for her age & has a lovely smile.

My Mum worked all her life, up until she died at 86. She also had lovely skin & a nice smile, but her life style was never compared to the Queen's, so what's the difference? 

[hopalong]

Smudge.  your mum worked till she was 86. As well as that she looked after the home made meals brought up her children done the shopping.  The queen didn't need to do any of that.   That is the difference.  I admire people like your mum far more that the royals  people like your mum are the real hard working people.

[smudge]

Thank you hopalong - I really do understand what you mean & I'm overwhelmed at your comments.

My Mum was one in a million. She had ten children - yes ten children! Her first at 21. We all age from 73 to 53! She along with Dad, gave us the best in life they could afford. We've all benefitted from their never ending love, devotion & good morals.

So just to add to your comments, none of us ever brought trouble to their door, which is more than you can say for certain members of that very 'famous' family.

However, I still like the Queen, as I did the Queen Mother.

[simonbentley]

I always thought that one was the anniversary of her birth and the other the anniversary of her ascension to the throne.