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Why does Queen Elizabeth have two birthdays?
When is the Queen's real birthday? The Queen's actual birthday is on 21 April, she was born on 21 April 1926. When does the Queen have her public and official birthday? It has long been customary to celebrate the Sovereign’s birthday publicly on a day during the summer, when better weather is more likely. Since 1805, the Sovereign’s 'official' summer birthday has been marked by the Trooping the Colour ceremony, normally held on the second Saturday in June. It is also marked by the flying of the Union flag on government buildings, a 42-gun salute and the publication of the birthday honours list. No particular ceremony is held on The Queen's true birthday, although the Union Flag is flown on public buildings.
The Queens birthday is celebrated in other countries too: Australians and New Zealanders mark the occasion in style by taking the day off work. Most of Australia marks the official birthday on second Monday in June. Western Australia mark the official birthday on last Monday in September or first Monday in October. In New Zealand, the first Monday in June is the Queen's official birthday. In Canada they have a statutory holiday on the third Monday of May that celebrates Queen Victoria. Canadians celebrate Victoria Day because she was the Monarch when Canada became an independent country in 1867. (With thanks to Susan Klimchuk, Ottawa, Canada, for providing the information about Canada.)
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