Queen Elizabeth's 90th Birthday Party Is Huge — and We're All Invited

Queen Elizabeth may have two birthdays (yes, two), but the actual date of her birth is April 21 — and she's marking her big day in her typical, tireless manner. She's celebrating the special occasion at her home at Windsor Castle along with her husband, Prince Philip. And even though the queen usually spends her birthdays privately — and who could blame her — the arrival of her 90th year is bringing a break from tradition. She began the day by greeting well-wishers in Windsor, the first of many activities. Here's a brief rundown of her global birthday party:

  1. The walkabout. Queen Elizabeth, dressed in green and wearing a brooch from her impressive collection, did a walkabout in the town of Windsor, a place that is close to the queen's heart since she spent much of her childhood there.
  2. Cake, cake, cake. The queen was able to cut a birthday cake prepared for her by the recent winner of the insanely popular British cooking show The Great British Bake Off, Nadiya Hussain.
  3. The unveiling. The queen and Prince Philip unveiled a plaque in Windsor for The Queen's Walkway, which is a self-guided walking trail winding between important sights in the town. There are 63 points on the walkway, one in honor of each of Elizabeth's years on the throne.
  4. Lunch with peers. The queen will visit with other 90-year-olds celebrating birthdays on April 21 with a lunch at Windsor's Guild Hall.
  5. The beacon lighting. Along with Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, Elizabeth and Philip will light a beacon in Windsor. The lighting of the beacon sets in motion a chain of beacons in the UK and worldwide that will be lit in her honor.