Queen Elizabeth II, pictured here at Windsor Castle, marks her 80th birthday with a host of parties and engagements that run until June.(AFP/pool/files/Ian Waldie )
Posted on 04/16/2006 10:20:44 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
LONDON (AFP) - Showing few signs of slowing down, Queen Elizabeth II -- Europe's longest serving monarch -- marks her 80th birthday on Friday with a host of parties and engagements that run until June.
It looks set to be a colourful affair as the royal family enjoys a period of calm compared with a decade ago, when divorce and scandal put the House of Windsors in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
But the celebrations will also be on a smaller scale than a four-day party thrown for Queen Elizabeth's golden jubilee in June 2002, as her 80th birthday is seen as more of a private than a public achievement.
"The queen's 80th is a landmark personal anniversary," said a spokeswoman for Buckingham Palace. "It's right that it should be appropriately celebrated."
While her real birthday is April 21, Queen Elizabeth also enjoys an official birthday -- this year on June 17 -- when the fickle English weather is deemed more favourable for outdoor festivities.
Scores of events have therefore been planned over the coming weeks, from an exclusive lunch with 100 fellow octogenarians on Wednesday to a children's party featuring Harry Potter and Noddy on June 25.
And there will be a range of souvenirs, from stamps to limited-edition teddy bears, to commemorate her birthday, while the BBC has made a special two-part documentary on her life.
Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born in London on April 21, 1926. Third in line to the throne, she initially had little prospect of becoming the sovereign.
The abdication of her uncle, King Edward VIII, in 1936, made her Britain's heiress-presumptive. She became queen in February 1952, aged just 25, after the death of her father, King George VI, and was crowned in June 1953.
Thrown into the role at such an early age, she rose to the challenge, capturing the hearts of the nation in the process with her charm, dignity and eloquence.
Married with four children -- Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward -- Queen Elizabeth juggled her job as head of state, the armed forces, the Commonwealth and the Church of England with motherhood and, later, being a grandmother.
The fourth longest-reigning British monarch in 1,000 years, she has seen nine prime ministers come and go, including Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher. Tony Blair is her 10th and the first to be born during her reign.
The queen, famed for her colourful outfits and matching hats, escaped the sense of scandal that has tainted much of the House of Windsor, making her one of its most popular members, royal experts say.
Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, told AFP: "It is because of her sense of duty and the fact she has never really put a foot wrong."
Her only "wobble" was failing to intervene sooner when the marriage between her eldest son Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana broke down in the early 1990s, Seward said.
Ten years ago, when Queen Elizabeth marked her 70th birthday, there had been much talk of when the monarchy -- battered by the collapse of Charles's wedding and that of his younger siblings, Prince Andrew and Princess Anne -- would end.
A survey at the time found that 43 percent of people believed it would exist in 2046. A similar poll six years earlier in 1990 put the ratio at 70 percent.
Queen Elizabeth, however, rode out the storm, pushing on with her royal duties -- trips overseas, entertaining dignitaries, bestowing honours and greeting the public -- with her trademark smile and wave.
Recent successes, such as Charles's remarriage a year ago to Camilla Parker Bowles, his former mistress and fellow countryside enthusiast, also gave the royals a new lease of life.
Reflecting the personal nature of her 80th birthday, the queen will spend much of Friday privately with her family.
She will, however, meet the public on a morning walkabout with her husband, Prince Philip, 84, outside Windsor Castle, west of London.
Later in the day, the queen will travel to Kew Palace in nearby Richmond, where Charles, next in line to the throne, is hosting an 80th birthday dinner for her and some 25 close family members.
He will also broadcast a televised tribute to his mother.
Despite her 80 years, the queen remains in remarkably good health and will likely continue to work for at least another decade, experts say, though they predict she may have to start cutting down some of her royal duties.
Queen Elizabeth II, pictured here at Windsor Castle, marks her 80th birthday with a host of parties and engagements that run until June.(AFP/pool/files/Ian Waldie )
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II leaves after attending the traditional Easter Sunday Service at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, April 16, 2006. REUTERS/ Fiona Hanson/PA/Pool
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II receives flowers during her walkabout in Guildford High Street in Southern England after distributing Maundy Money at Guildford Cathedral April 13, 2006. During the centuries-old Holy Week ceremony, the monarch gives bags of newly minted coins to 80 men and 80 women, all specially chosen. REUTERS/Tim Ockenden/PA/WPA Rota
LOL! If there was ever any doubt about the shallowness of the current media, their inabilty to view the royal family as anything other than soap opera stars confirms it. Despite - or maybe, because of?- their best efforts, Queen Elizabeth remains an object of affection and respect throughout the Commonwealth.
I've never had a pug either, a couple family friends have them. they are little characters. I wouldn't want too large a dog in any case. we used to have mostly mutts when I was a kid.
Largest corgi I've had (very abnormal size-wise) was 40 pounds. Most have been between 22 - 30 pounds as adults. Prior to corgis, I've had mutts...plus side is saving dogs from the pound...down side are the unknowns on temperament, size, etc.
Corgi ping.
The Queen is quite a lady, I agree, strong as steel and devoted to duty.
I have always been fascinated by her, and remember her coronation when I was a wee child.
Thanks, La...'dita for the Ping ! ; )
I only wish I knew how to post photos.... I would post one of our little Corgi "Trooper."
FR's Billie posted a collage with him on it awhile back with SFC Greg.
We think he's such a beautifully marked pup and special too. He's great with kids and so much fun...has given our family alot of chuckles. We used to raise Pembroke Welsh Corgi's in the '70's and really loved the breed, so I'm presently looking for a red with white female puppy to have a breeding pair again soon.
They are truly one of the best over-all breeds around and wonderful companions. They are used for working "Companion Dogs" as they are extremely intelligent, and loving!!
The Queen has had corgis forever and she adores them.
It is fortunate though that Her Majesty has much greater testicular fortitude than the current gelded Prince of Whales.
It would be an honor to pledge my sword for her service and doubly honorable to do the same for a king fit to succeed her.
Happy Birthday to a great lady. Cheers!
Do you mean literally gelded, or in the sense of waiting in the wings, for the throne? Despite Charles' occasional silly pronouncements I'm quite confident he'd make a good king, and would show his mettle should England once again be in mortal danger.
Royalty's like keeping a gun in your bedside table. You take it for granted until the time when it's really needed. Countless examples available if required, from Alfred the Great to George VI. Cheers, Byron
I think the United Kingdom needs an iron fisted monarch that would literally scare the crap out of everyone...
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