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Queen's Birthday

© Linda Campbell

Queen Elizabeth of Britain and the Commonwealth was actually born on April 21st 1926. So why do we celebrate her birthday in June?

In Britain there is a history of celebrating the birthday of the reigning monarch on the birthday of a predecessor, preferably in the middle of the year. I think that the relevant date must not be too close to other holidays, such as Easter (which April 21st would be!)

King George III (reigned 1760 – 1820) was a conscientious sovereign whose birthday on the 4th of June became a popular celebration. The First Fleet landed at what is now Sydney, Australia on January 26th 1788 and, from the beginning, the King’s Birthday was a day of festivity with gun salutes, bonfires, a ceremonial dinner and the liberation of some of the transported criminals.

The birthdays of King George IV (reigned 1820 – 1830) and King William IV (reigned 1830 – 1837) were both celebrated on June 4th, King George III’s birthday. Queen Victoria ruled from 1837 to 1901. Her birthday fell on May 24th and was officially celebrated on that day. Indeed Victoria Day is still a public holiday in Canada and other countries. King Edward VII (reigned 1901 – 1910) was born on November 9th but his official celebration was on Queen Victoria’s birthday (May 24th). King George V (reigned 1910 –1935) was lucky enough to be born on June 3rd and his birthday was officially held on that day.

King Edward VIII who only reigned for a short period before his abdication in 1936 was born on June 23rd and again his birthday was officially celebrated on that day. The birthday of his brother, King George VI (reigned 1936 – 1952) was celebrated on the first Thursday in June although he was born on December 14th.

When the present Queen began her reign in 1952, the official celebrations for her birthday were fixed in June in most states and territories in Australia. Western Australia, however celebrates her birthday in October! I have not been able to find the reasons for this. If anybody has any ideas, please contact me!

From the above dates and information, it would seem that the official birthday of the reigning monarch is always held in the middle of the year. If his/her birth did occur in May or June, then that was when the celebrations were held. Otherwise a date in June is picked, probably to space out the holiday so that it does not clash with other festivals.

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