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The Queen's birthday, also known as the Queen's Official Birthday, was usually celebrated on the second Saturday in June in the UK.
Is Queen Elizabeth II's Birthday a Public Holiday?
Even though Queen Elizabeth II's Birthday falls on Saturday, June 8, 2019, it is a working day. Most businesses follow regular opening hours in United Kingdom.
The British Royal Family in 2015.
©iStockphoto.com/cheekylorns
What Do People Do?
On her official birthday, the Queen would make a public appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. Her Majesty watched the spectacular Trooping the Colour parade, also known as the Queen's Birthday Parade, in London with other members of the Royal Family. The parade moved between Buckingham Palace, The Mall, and Horseguards’ Parade.
Public Life
The Queen awarded Birthday Honours to citizens who have made achievements in public life or committed themselves to serving and helping Britain. Most awards were in the Order of the British Empire. However, there are many different degrees, and the Main Honours Committee decides which one a person receives.
People can get Birthday Honours for achievements like making a difference to their community or field of work, enhancing Britain’s reputation, long-term voluntary service, innovation and entrepreneurship, and displaying moral courage.
Some years the Queen presented the orders herself. Other years, a viceregal representative acted as the presenter. Honours have been awarded on the sovereign's birthday since at least 1885 when Queen Victoria was on the throne.
Long Weekend
In British diplomatic missions, the Queens Official Birthday was treated as the UK's National Day. Although it was not a public holiday in the UK, some civil servants were given a ”privilege day” at this time of year. This was often merged with the Spring Bank Holiday on the last Monday in May to create a long weekend.
Actual Birthday in April
Elizabeth Alexandra Mary of the House of Windsor was born on April 21, 1926. In 1952, when her her father, King George VI, died, Elizabeth succeeded to the throne and became known as Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen celebrated her 60-year reign in 2012 with a Diamond Jubilee Bank Holiday.
The Queen usually spent her actual birthday in private, but the occasion was marked publicly by gun salutes in central London at midday: one in Hyde Park, another in Windsor Great Park and a third salute at the Tower of London.
Background
The monarch's birthday has been an official celebration in the UK since 1748 when King George II reigned. Since 1959, the Queen Elizabeth II's Official Birthday was on the second Saturday of June.
Previously, the Queen's Birthday was celebrated on the second Thursday of June, the same day that her father, King George VI, celebrated his Official Birthday when he was on the throne.
Edward VII, who reigned from 1901 to 1910 and whose birthday was on 9 November, moved his ceremony to summer after 1908, in the hope of good weather.
About Queen Elizabeth II's Birthday in Other Countries
Read more about Queen Elizabeth II's Birthday.Queen Elizabeth II's Birthday Observances
Queen Elizabeth II's Birthday in the United Kingdom has not been observed since 2022.
| Year | Weekday | Date | Name | Holiday Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Sat | Jun 8 | Queen Elizabeth II's Birthday | Observance |
| 2020 | Sat | Jun 13 | Queen Elizabeth II's Birthday | Observance |
| 2021 | Sat | Jun 12 | Queen Elizabeth II's Birthday | Observance |
| 2022 | Sat | Jun 11 | Queen Elizabeth II's Birthday | Observance |
While we diligently research and update our holiday dates, some of the information in the table above may be preliminary. If you find an error, please let us know.
