How To Mark The Queen’s Official Birthday

The Queen turned 95 on 21 April, continuing her stature as Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. Her ‘official birthday’, however takes place on 12 June. Here’s our curated guide to commemorating the Queen’s birthday in style.

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The official website of the British Royal Family states that ‘the Queen usually spends her actual birthday privately, but the occasion is marked publicly by gun salutes in central London at midday: a 41 gun salute in Hyde Park, a 21 gun salute in Windsor Great Park and a 62 gun salute at the Tower of London.’ This is also known as Trooping the Colour, and typically takes place in the summer. This year, however, it has been announced that the event will not ‘go ahead in its traditional form’ due to Covid.

With a number of lockdown restrictions still in place, commemorations are limited, but there are still a few things you can do mark the Queen’s official birthday.

Happy Birthday to Her Majesty!

How To Mark The Queen’s Birthday

Indulge in Afternoon Tea

Brown’s Afternoon Tea

Quintessentially British and a renowned royal tradition, afternoon tea is a treat at any given time of the year – but the Queen’s birthday seems the most apt time to indulge in the historic institution. A trip to DUKES London or The Goring Hotel for high tea will certainly hit the spot, but an afternoon tea delivery from the likes of Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair is a pretty perfect alternative. If you’d prefer to improvise your own decadent spread, see our guide to creating the ultimate afternoon at home, featuring the recipe for GAIL’s Bakery’s signature scones and Dominique Ansel’s Mini Madeleines. And don’t leave the little one’s behind; see our guide to the best children’s afternoon tea in London here.

The Best Afternoon Teas in London

Picnic in St James’s Park

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An ideal spot to kick back with a delicious picnic spread and bottle of fizz, St James’s Park offers almost 57 acres of lake, greenery and pelicans – yes, pelicans, which have occupied the royal park for almost 400 years. The park is also home to the Buckingham Palace flower beds, Queen Victoria Memorial, and is where Trooping the Colour and the Horse Guards Parade would ordinarily take place. royalparks.org.uk

The Best Luxury Picnic Hampers in London

Visit the Queen’s Garden at Kew

Andrew McRobb © RBG Kew

Home to one of the smallest royal palaces (a former private residence beloved by the royal family in the 1720s), Kew Gardens is a great place to visit for a slice of British royal history. Head to the paradisal Queen’s Garden where you’ll find an array of captivating florals and stone ornaments, plus Kew’s oldest sculpture. Note: you’ll need to book a timed slot to visit. kew.org

Read About the Royals

If the Queen’s extensive reign has impelled you to read up on a bit of royal history, there is plenty to devour and much to learn. If, like us, you binge-watched your way through The Crown, pick up one of these compelling royal books next.

Enjoy a tour of Windsor Castle

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Delight in a trip to Windsor Castle and explore the 900-year-old fortress via a detailed tour. Home to Her Majesty (and 39 former monarchs), the royal property is currently the world’s oldest inhabited castle, which the Queen uses as both ‘a private home, where she usually spends the weekend, and as an official Royal residence at which she undertakes certain formal duties,’ according to the official royal website. royal.uk

Live Like Her Majesty For the Day

Yes, really. From indulging in bangers and mash (the Queen reportedly loves Musk’s Newmarket sausages) to walking the corgis in Windsor Great Park, see our guide to living like the Queen for a day here. The Queen’s tipple of choice, the Dubonnet cocktail, is obviously also a must.

Featured image: Britain’s Queen Elizabeth views the Peter Beales Roses exhibition at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2018 in London Monday, May 21, 2018. RHS / Luke MacGregor

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