The service held at the iconic St. Paul’s Cathedral in London was attended by around 50 royal family members, including the Queen’s husband Duke of Edinburgh, who himself is celebrating his 95th birthday today.
Advertisement
A member of the Mothers’ Union from Wales, Mrs Hilda Price, who shares her birthday with the Queen, read a special prayer at the service, which was broadcast live on BBC TV.
Official celebrations to mark a King or Queen’s birthday in the United Kingdom have often been held on a day that isn’t their actual birthday.
Later on in the day, the Queen joined other members of the Royal Family on the Buckingham Palace balcony for an RAF fly-past.
The Most Rev Justin Welby suggested the Queen had sustained the country “through war and hardship, through turmoil and change” during the St Paul’s Cathedral service to mark her 90th birthday.
The great-grandmother was born on the same day as the Queen and in the same year – April 21, 1926 – but the two women have lived very different lives.
The former soldier was left impressed by his first experience of a Trooping the Colour ceremony: “It was absolutely brilliant, I’ve taken part in some of these big parades and it is an enormous amount of hard work and when they all do it together it’s just unbelievable”. Prince William rode on a grey charger Wellesley, who he usually rides for the parade, while Prince Charles and Princess Anne rode on George and Elizabeth respectively.
Governors general from the Queen’s realms were also among those invited, along with faith leaders and hundreds of people nominated by Government departments to recognise their service.
Like the earlier photos, this one, too, displayed Leibovitz’ widely-acclaimed lush style combined with her empathetic insight.
Dating back to the 18th century, the “Trooping the Colour” event takes its name from a ceremony to hand over the Colour, a regimental flag, and parade it through ranks of troops.
It’s Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday – still. Televised from 10.15am on BBC1, the event will be presented by Huw Edwards.
British newspapers have been filled with paeans to the queen, and editorials urging the public to show its gratitude for her long reign.
Advertisement
Later, the royal couple was expected to make an appearance on the balcony of the palace, to wave to the crowd as Royal Air Force jets and some vintage World War II planes fly overhead.
