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A small military ceremony is to take place in honour of the Queen ‘s official birthday , it has been confirmed.
Every year, Queen Elizabeth II ‘s birthday is marked on two separate occasions. First on 21 April, the date on which she was born, and then later in June, as part of an official celebration.
The tradition of the British monarch having two birthdays stems back to 1748, during the reign of King George II. The Queen’s second birthday, also known as her official birthday, usually takes place on the second Saturday of June, which this year falls on the 13th.
The main event that traditionally takes place on the Queen’s official birthday is her Birthday Parade, also known as Trooping the Colour. However, this year the parade has been cancelled in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
On 27 March, Buckingham Palace released a statement outlining that “in line with Government advice, it has been agreed that the Queen’s Birthday Parade, also known as Trooping the Colour, will not go ahead in its traditional form”.
The Palace has now confirmed that a small military service will go ahead to mark the occasion.
“There will be a small brief military ceremony at Windsor Castle to mark the Queen’s official birthday,” a Palace spokesperson said.
It has not been stated whether the Queen will make an appearance during the event, although it may be expected considering she and the Duke of Edinburgh have been self-isolating at Windsor Castle.
The monarch was last seen at a major event on 9 March, when she and other members of the royal family attended the Westminster Abbey Commonwealth Day service.
The event marked the last time the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made an appearance as working members of the royal family before they stepped down from their senior roles at the end of the month.
The Queen's most memorable quotesShow all 11 1 /11The Queen's most memorable quotes The Queen's most memorable quotes Amid the coronavirus pandemic In a special address to the UK and the Commonwealth amid the coronavirus pandemic on 5 April 2020, the Queen said: “While we have faced challenges before, this one is different. This time we join with all nations across the globe in a common endeavour, using the great advances of science and our instinctive compassion to heal. We will succeed - and that success will belong to every one of us. “We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return: we will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again.”
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The Queen's most memorable quotes After two tragic events in the UK In 2017, the year that saw the terror attack in Manchester and Grenfell fire, the Queen reflected on the idea of home in her Christmas Day speech, saying: “We think of our homes as places of warmth, familiarity and love; of shared stories and memories, which is perhaps why at this time of year so many return to where they grew up. There is a timeless simplicity to the pull of home. “For many, the idea of “home” reaches beyond a physical building – to a home town or city... “We expect our homes to be a place of safety – ‘sanctuary’ even – which makes it all the more shocking when the comfort they provide is shattered.”
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The Queen's most memorable quotes In a year with major disasters around the world After a year where nations around the world were devastated by natural disasters – including flooding, tsunami, earthquake and hurricane – as well as the terror attack in London, the Queen said on her Christmas Day speech in 2005: “This series of dreadful events has brought loss and suffering to so many people - and their families and friends - not only in the countries directly affected, but here in Britain and throughout the Commonwealth. “As if these disasters were not bad enough, I have sometimes thought that humanity seemed to have turned on itself - with wars, civil disturbances and acts of brutal terrorism... “This last year has reminded us that this world is not always an easy or a safe place to live in, but it is the only place we have.”
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The Queen's most memorable quotes While visiting victims of the 2005 London terror attack Following terrorist bombings in London on 8 July 2005, the Queen said during a visit to some of the victims at Royal London Hospital: “Sadly we in Britain have been all too familiar with acts of terror and members of my generation, especially at this end of London, know that we have been here before. But those who perpetrate these brutal acts against innocent people should know that they will not change our way of life. “Atrocities such as these simply reinforce our sense of community, our humanity, and our trust in the rule of law. That is the clear message from us all.”
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The Queen's most memorable quotes In her Golden Jubilee year The Queen celebrated her Golden Jubilee in 2002 with a tour of the nation as well as a summer of celebrations. On 2 June, with the Fifa World Cup in full swing, she told guests at a lunch at Guildhall: “I am more than conscious at the moment of the importance of football. Although this weekend comes about half way through my Jubilee year, as far as we are concerned, it bears no relation to a rest at 'half-time'. “However, I am very glad that the fiftieth anniversary of my accession is giving so many people all over this country and in the Commonwealth an excuse to celebrate and enjoy themselves.”
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The Queen's most memorable quotes At the turn of the millennium For her annual Christmas Day broadcast in 1999, the Queen reflected on the turn of the millennium, and the lessons we could learn, saying: “As I look to the future I have no doubt at all that the one certainty is change - and the pace of that change will only seem to increase… “There are many, for example, of my age or amongst the more vulnerable in society who worry that they will be left behind. The sheer rate of change seems to be sweeping away so much that is familiar and comforting. “But I do not think that we should be over-anxious. We can make sense of the future - if we understand the lessons of the past.”
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The Queen's most memorable quotes During her Golden Wedding Anniversary As the Queen celebrated her Golden Wedding Anniversary on 20 November 1997, she said: “What a remarkable fifty years they have been: for the world, for the Commonwealth and for Britain. Think what we would have missed if we had never heard the Beatles or seen Margot Fonteyn dance: never have watched television, used a mobile telephone or surfed the Net (or, to be honest, listened to other people talking about surfing the Net). "We would never have heard someone speak from the Moon: never have watched England win the World Cup or Red Rum three Grand Nationals. We would never have heard that Everest had been scaled, DNA unravelled, the Channel tunnel built, hip replacements become commonplace. Above all, speaking personally, we would never have known the joys of having children and grandchildren."
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The Queen's most memorable quotes Following the death of Diana, the Princess of Wales Following the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, the Queen addressed the nation on 5 September 1997: “We have all been trying in our different ways to cope. It is not easy to express a sense of loss, since the initial shock is often succeeded by a mixture of other feelings: disbelief, incomprehension, anger - and concern for those who remain. We have all felt those emotions in these last few days.”
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The Queen's most memorable quotes The Royals' worst year On 24 November 1992, the Queen marked her “annus horribilis” – during which the royal family was marked with scandals from divorce and affairs, to a devastating fire at Windsor Castle – in a speech at Guildhall to mark the 40th anniversary of her Accession. Her majesty reflected: “I sometimes wonder how future generations will judge the events of this tumultuous year. I dare say that history will take a slightly more moderate view than that of some contemporary commentators. Distance is well-known to lend enchantment, even to the less attractive views. After all, it has the inestimable advantage of hindsight. "But it can also lend an extra dimension to judgement, giving it a leavening of moderation and compassion - even of wisdom - that is sometimes lacking in the reactions of those whose task it is in life to offer instant opinions on all things great and small.”
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The Queen's most memorable quotes Celebrating her Silver Jubilee In a speech celebrating her Silver Jubilee on 4 May 1977, the Queen noted: “These 25 years have seen much change for Britain. By virtue of tolerance and understanding, the Empire has evolved into a Commonwealth of 36 Independent Nations spanning the five Continents. No longer an Imperial Power, we have been coming to terms with what this means for ourselves and for our relations with the rest of the world. “We have forged new links with other countries and in joining the European Economic Communities we have taken what is perhaps one of the most significant decisions during my reign.”
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The Queen's most memorable quotes On her coronation day After her coronation on 2 June 1953, the Queen addressed the nation in a broadcast that evening: "The ceremonies you have seen today are ancient, and some of their origins are veiled in the mists of the past. But their spirit and their meaning shine through the ages never, perhaps, more brightly than now. "I have in sincerity pledged myself to your service, as so many of you are pledged to mine. Throughout all my life and with all my heart I shall strive to be worthy of your trust."
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On Sunday 31 May, the Queen made her first public appearance since lockdown began when she was photographed riding a horse in the grounds of Winsor Castle.
The horse the 94-year-old rode was a 14-year-old Fell Pony called Balmoral Fern, one of the monarch’s favourites.
The Queen regularly rides horses in the grounds of Windsor Castle and has bred thoroughbred racehorses for years.
During her recent excursion, she was joined by her daughter Anne, Princess Royal.
The last public photograph taken of the Queen was captured on 19 March, when she was driven away from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle.
When the Queen celebrated her actual birthday on 21 April, it was not marked with a traditional gun salute .
It is believed it was the first time a gun salute had not taken place for the monarch’s birthday.
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