Queen Elizabeth II is 90 on 21st April 2016 and across the United Kingdom people are getting ready to celebrate.

Not only is Queen Elizabeth II the longest reigning British monarch, but she is also the longest lived – easily surpassing Queen Victoria and King George III, who both lived to 81.

Born in London in 1926, the young Princess Elizabeth never expected to become Queen. It was only with the abdication of her uncle King Edward VIII in 1936, and the accession of her father King George VI, that she stood to inherit the throne. Elizabeth became Queen on 6 February 1952 and has reigned for over 64 years.

Celebrations to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday are taking place over the next three months, starting with the Queen’s actual birthday in April and culminating on the weekend of the Queen’s official birthday in June.

While 21st April is not the main focus of celebrations, the Queen will be attending a number of events in Windsor on the day, including a walkabout of the town. In the evening, the Queen will light the first of a chain of 1000 beacons across the UK and worldwide to mark her birthday. On Sunday 22nd April, the Queen will host US President Barack Obama for a private lunch.

The first of two major events for the Queen’s birthday will happen in May. From 12th to 15th May a huge pageant celebrating the Queen’s life will take place at Home Park in the grounds of Windsor Castle. Over 900 horses and more than 1,500 participants from the UK and around the world will be involved.

The festivities in June start with a National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday 10th June, followed by The Queen’s Birthday Parade on Horse Guards Parade in London. The weekend’s activities culminate with the other main event, The Patron’s Lunch, which will see The Mall in London transformed into a large street party to celebrate The Queen’s patronage of over 600 charities and organisations.

“Like many people in Britain, and around the world, we are looking forward to celebrating the Queen’s 90th birthday, as a mark of appreciation and thanks to such an inspirational and well loved person,” said Janet Redler, Chief Executive of Janet Redler Travel & Tourism. “A spectacular range of events, commemorations, activities and parties will bring the country together to show the Queen just how much she means to us all!”

If you would like to follow in the royal footsteps of Queen Elizabeth II on a tailor made tour to the United Kingdom, from Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, to Sandringham House in Norfolk and Balmoral in Scotland, please do contact us.