The Queen´s 90th Birthday

Thursday, 21st of April 2016

Today is an important day for any british citizen, as it marks the 90th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch of Britain. This will be one of the highlights of 2016 for the UK, as events start today (her real birthday) and extend to May and June, which is the official annual celebration of the Queen´s birthday.There are many events taking place during the three months, some free and others requiring tickets to attend.

The centre of all the attention is Windsor Castle, around one hour drive from were I currently live, and where the royals started their celebration with the great support of the public. A plaque was unveiled marking the start of a four-mile Queen´s Walkaway at the foot of Castle Hill in Windsor, therefore, connecting 63 points of interest in that same town, as the Queen herself commemorates more than 63 years reigning as of 2015. A walk made to greet the public was next, sending royal fans to camp outside those streets to make sure they would get a sit on the front row, which seems tremendously difficult to achieve. 

During the evening, the celebrations continued as the Queen, now joined by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, lighted the very first one of the 1.000 beacons that spread across the country and even worldwide to celebrate the monarch´s birthday.

Tomorrow, the President Barack Obama is scheduled to attend a private luncheon with the Queen at Widsor Castle.

Only during the months of May and June the extravaganza will rise up to a all new level, since their will be a 90-minute long event with 900 horses and 1500 riders, as well as performers, being much similar to the Diamond Jubilee of 2012. Already 25.000 tickets for the arena are sold out since last November and of course, ITV will be broadcasting it for the public.

It is indeed impressive how much Britain does to commemorate the birthdays of their beloved royal family, even the garbage is not collected on this very day! As a portuguese girl outside of her element, I can not but admire the great gestures and genuin love british people seem to have for the Queen, or how they call her, Her Majesty. Although I am not for monarchy in any sense or form, and do not consider Queen Elizabeth II to be a figure of authority towards me, I do have respect for her as a woman standing in an autoritarian position, though in this day and age, the royal family is more of a cultural symbol and way to attract tourists, than an actual political figure.

From a girl wishing happy birthday to the Queen,

Mariana Fidalgo