The Lady Magazine

10 June 2016

George II was born in November, a time of the year when a celebratory parade would almost certainly be a chilly affair. And so, in 1748, he decided to celebrate his birthday publicly in conjunction with the spring Trooping the Colour parade, when the weather would, hopefully, be fine. The tradition has endured, and this year the Queen’s 90th birthday will officially be celebrated this Saturday, 11 June, with a cornucopia of displays and events. Whether you are raising a glass to Her Majesty at a street party or watching the celebrations in the comfort of your own home, we have a royal cornucopia of our own to keep the festive spirit alive in ‘down time’, starting with an interview with veteran royal reporter Jennie Bond. We also sent our own royal reporter, Melonie Clarke, to Hampton Court Palace to join the ladies of the Royal School of Needlework in making an embroidered brooch for the Queen. Other royal treats include a fascinating essay by our etiquette expert, Thomas Blaikie, about Her Majesty’s crowns, the sheer weight of which would make many a lesser mortal keel over. When the last cork has popped and the final crumb of cake has been brushed from the lips, why not stave off those postcelebration blues by perusing our excellent reviews section or tucking into one of our brain-teasing puzzles… Wishing Her Majesty – and all our readers – a glorious week,