A birthday is a wonderful occasion. It is a time for celebration, and getting together with family and friends; and for most of us this happens just once a year. However, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, has not one, but two birthdays. Here, we explore this tradition and the reasons behind it.
Origins
As with us all, every monarch has an actual birthday, but the tradition of celebrating on a date different to this started way back in 1748, with the annual Spring Trooping of the Colour. This event always takes place in the warmer summer months. However, the reigning monarch at the time, George II, celebrated his actual birthday in November, which was less suitable for outdoor celebrations as the weather was less likely to be favourable.
In order to improve the chances of the nation being able to celebrate with the monarch, the British government therefore decreed in 1748, that the celebration of the monarch’s “official” birthday should coincide with the Trooping of the Colour. This continued with the ascension of George III in 1760, and became an annual tradition with the ascension of George IV in 1820.
The Queen’s Grandfather
Edward VII became King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India on January 22nd 1901. His actual birthday, the same as George II was in November, so the King decreed that the Trooping of the Colour should always take place in June. He also became the first monarch to review the Trooping the Colour personally. The summer weather with the hope of glimpsing the King himself drew huge crowds, eager to watch the parade down The Mall to Buckingham Palace.
George V, Edward VII’s son, was born on the 3rd June so he decided to revert back to a single celebration of his birthday. However, his son, George VI was born in December, and so revived the tradition of an “official” birthday in mid-June.
Modern Times
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s actual birthday is 21st April, and despite the improved chances of favourable weather, she, like her father before her, has kept the tradition and opted for two birthday celebrations.
We might indeed, in the future, see a change once again, moving away from this longstanding tradition. For now, the tradition remains and the reason for it, in short, is not because the monarch is greedy, it is simply down to the British weather.
This year has seen one of the greatest and most significant royal birthdays of them all, with Queen Elizabeth II celebrating her 95th birthday. We have a beautiful set of “crown-sized” coins to mark this wonderful occasion, the Queen Elizabeth II 2021 The 95th Birthday Commemorative Silver Set, which is available for you to order HERE.
