Why Does Queen Elizabeth Have Two Birthdays?

Here's the reason behind the royal tradition.

queen elizabeth
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As if literally being the Queen of England weren't enough, the head of the royal family is also afforded this childhood fantasy: She has two birthdays. Every single year.

On April 21, the actual day of her birth, Elizabeth II celebrates privately (we imagine she eats custard tart for breakfast in bed, surrounded by corgis), but on a Saturday in June, she marks her "official" birthday publicly, in true British royal fashion, with a carriage and horse procession known as Trooping the Colour. The rest of the royal family will also join her up on the Buckingham Palace balcony to address the crowds below.

So why the change in date?

It all comes down to the weather. (Can you think of a more English reason?) Summer is the only time for a proper parade.

In fact, the tradition dates all the way back to King George II in 1748, who combined the annual summer military march with his birthday celebration, even though he was born in October. Ever since, the reigning monarch has had the option of having an official birthday in the summertime. And let's be honest, who would turn down the opportunity to have two birthdays?

When Prince Charles ascends to the throne, he will likely adopt the practice; his birthday is in November, a.k.a pretty much the worst month for a parade.

As for Prince William? His birthday's basically perfect: June 22, but he will probably keep the official celebration to the weekend.

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