Why Does Queen Elizabeth Have Two Birthdays?

As if literally being the Queen of England weren't enough, the head of the royal family is also afforded this childhood fantasy: She has two birthdays. Every single year.

On April 21, the actual day of her birth, the Queen celebrates privately (we like to imagine she eats custard tart for breakfast in bed, surrounded by corgis), but in June, she marks her "official" birthday publicly, in true British royal fashion, with a carriage and horse procession known as Trooping the Colour. The rest of the royal family joins her up on the Buckingham Palace balcony to address the crowds below. This year, it will be an extra special event, as the Queen marks her Platinum Jubilee, signifying 70 years on the throne. This year, only working royals will appear on the balcony.

(To clarify: in normal times, Trooping is a large event with crowds of people, and the participation of numerous members of the royal family; in 2020, and again in 2021, Trooping was scaled way down due to health and safety concerns during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.)

Hearst Home Town & Country: The Queen: A Life in Pictures

Now 20% Off$40 $32 at Amazon

So why the change in date?

It all comes down to the weather. (Can you think of a more English reason?) Summer is the only time for a proper parade.

In fact, the tradition dates all the way back to King George II in 1748, who combined the annual summer military march with his birthday celebration, even though he was born in October. Ever since, the reigning monarch has had the option of having an official birthday in the summertime. And let's be honest, who would turn down the opportunity to have two birthdays?

When Prince Charles ascends to the throne, he will likely adopt the practice; his birthday is in November, a.k.a pretty much the worst month for a parade.

As for Prince William? His birthday's basically perfect: June 21, but he will probably keep the official celebration to the weekend.

Related Stories

• Who Gets to Stand on the Buckingham Palace Balcony
• 70+ Pictures From Trooping the Colour Ceremonies
• What Is Trooping the Colour, Anyway?

Caroline HallemannDigital Director

Caroline Hallemann is the Digital Director at Town & Country, where she covers culture, society, and entertainment, as well as the British royal family, among a variety of other topics. Caroline is also the author of the forthcoming book, The Kennedys and the Windsors, out in 2026. Prior to leading the digital team at T&C, she served as the brand's Senior News Editor and Digital News Director, and has previously held positions at Travel + Leisure, DailyCandy, and Parenting Magazine. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband and their son, Tommy. You can find her on Instagram at the handle @challemann and on TikTok at @carolinehallemann.