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Celebrating The Birthday Of Queen Elizabeth

Queen Elizabeth II is celebrating her 77th birthday this year. She has become the fourth longest-reigning monarch in 1,000 years of history. Only Queen Victoria, King George III and King Henry III have enjoyed greater longevity on the throne of England.

Although the Queen was born on 21 April, it is traditional to officially mark her birthday in the warmer month of June, with the annual Trooping The Colour ceremony. This takes place on Horse Guards Parade, in London Whitehall, and is carried out by fully trained and operational troops from the Household Division (Foot Guards and Household Cavalry). The spectacle is watched by members of the Royal family, invited guests and members of the public.

A new exhibition recently opened at Buckingham Palace. On show (until 1 February 2004) are some of the most breathtaking pieces of Royal jewellery, worn by the Queen at her coronation in 1953.

The coronation anniversary theme is echoed at Windsor Castle, outside London, and at this year's summer opening of the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace.

At Windsor the ancient ceremony is explored in the Coronations Exhibition through drawings, prints, photographs and historic material from the Royal Library and Royal Archives.

The Queen's magnificent coronation dress and robe of estate and the 30-metre coronation frieze by Feliks Topolski, commissioned by the Duke of Edinburgh, will be shown at the summer opening of Buckingham Palace from 1 August to 28 September.
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