British Monarchy

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II today celebrates her 86th birthday today. The Queen will celebrate her birthday privately at Windsor Castle with members of her family.

Officially, the birthday of The Queen was marked across the United Kingdom by the British Armed Forces carrying out gun salutes. Dozens of cannons fired into the air at the Tower of London, Hyde Park, Windsor Castle, York's Museum Gardens, Portsmouth Harbour, Edinburgh Castle and Stirling Castle.

Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, officially – Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, was born on 21st April 1926 to the then Duke and Duchess of York (Later, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth) As a young Princess, Elizabeth became heir-presumptive to the throne upon the abdication in 1936 of her uncle King Edward VIII.

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall has been appointed to the Royal Victorian Order by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

As a Dynastic Order of Chivalry appointment to the Royal Victoria Order remains within the personal gift of the Sovereign and requires no involvement from the British Government.

The Order recognises personal and distinguished personal service to the Sovereign, and to the institution of Monarchy. The Order was established by Queen Victoria in 1896 and is organised into three levels and five hierarchical grades and one medal. The Royal Victorian Order forms part of the Honours System of all 16 Commonwealth Realms.

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge presented shamrocks to members of the Irish Guards to mark St. Patrick's Day. The St Patrick's Day parade took place in Aldershot. The tradition of presenting shamrocks goes back to the first regimental St Patrick's Day in 1901.

The Duchess of Cambridge attended represented the Colonel of the regiment who is currently away serving in The Falkland Islands. His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge was appointed as Colonel of the Irish Guards by Queen Elizabeth II last year.