Why Does Queen Elizabeth II Have Two Birthdays?

Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images

From Harper's BAZAAR

Queen Elizabeth II is an incredibly busy woman, but she also knows how to enjoy a good party. So it shouldn't come as a surprise to find out that the Queen has not one, but two birthdays. So as the monarch turns 92, it's crucial to ask, why does Queen Elizabeth II have two birthdays?

According to the BBC, the tradition of celebrating two birthdays started in 1748. King George II was born in November, but decided he wanted to have good weather on his birthday, which is totally relatable. So to solve the problem, the King decided to start celebrating his birthday every summer, by throwing an annual military parade, as well as honoring his actual birthday in November.

As TIME reports, "Since then, the second Saturday of June has become the usual date of the British monarch’s official birthday." But Queen Elizabeth's actual birthday is April 21, marking the day she was born in 1926.

Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images

The Queen is due to celebrate her 92nd birthday at a concert in an honor, which will likely be attended by several members of the royal family, including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ahead of their May 19 wedding.

But this won't be the first party that the Queen has attended this week. After a week of important events as the Head of the Commonwealth, Queen Elizabeth II put in an appearance at the star-studded Commonwealth dinner party, at which she was photographed deep in conversation with Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau.

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