The queen on her 90th birthday in Windsor, England. Image Source: Getty / Chris Jackson [1]
Queen Elizabeth may have two birthdays [2] (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 [3] 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:
- The walkabout. Queen Elizabeth, dressed in green and wearing a brooch from her impressive collection [4], 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.