WOULDN'T IT BE JUST LOVELY IF ONE HAD TWO BIRTHDAYS

Buckingham Palace, London, February, 7, 1954

The Queen of the United Kingdom poses for an official photograph with her husband, Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and others.

THE QUEEN: I say Philip dear.
PHILIP, DUKE OF EDINBURGH: Yes my love.
THE QUEEN: It is awfully boring only having one birthday.
PHILIP, DUKE OF EDINBURGH: One can only be born once my love.
THE QUEEN: Yes but I am the Queen.
PHILIP, DUKE OF EDINBURGH: You are indeed, and never tire of letting me know it.
THE QUEEN: Oh Philip, really, wouldn't it be just lovely if one had two birthdays. Be a good hubby and make it happen.
PHILIP, THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH: Your Majesty, I believe you have forgotten that you already do have two birthdays.
THE QUEEN: Oh yes of course, you're right. Lucky me!
PHILIP, DUKE OF EDINBURGH: Yes, lucky you. Now let's take this wretched photograph so I can get back to my club.

Today, April 21st, is the Queen's 92nd birthday. It is usually a private day so she will no doubt enjoy some afternoon tea and scones in the gardens of one of her palaces before a celebratory dinner. Her closest family will be there for sure. Prince William with Kate, Prince Harry with Megan; and she'll probably be forced to invite Prince Charles and Camilla too. A proper old family get-together. And who knows, she might even let her hair down and have an extra glass or two of sherry as she parties the night away.

But before her Majesty knows it, all her presents will have been opened and the day will be over. Some would feel quite sad at this moment. But not her Majesty. Because unlike the rest of us, she needn't wait another year until her next birthday. The Queen is not like everybody else. She has two birthdays.

Elizabeth was born on April 21st, 1926. Raised by her parents, The Duke and Duchess of York, she became heir to the throne in 1936 when her Uncle, King Edward VIII abdicated and her father was crowned King George VI.

For the next sixteen years she would enjoy only one birthday per year until she acceded to the throne in 1952 and became the Queen.

Sovereigns in the United Kingdom enjoy two birthdays per year. The Queen's actual birthday (today) is marked publicly by a 41 gun salute in Hyde Park, London; a 21 gun salute in Windsor Central Park and a 62 gun salute at the Tower of London. While her official birthday, which includes a parade at Buckingham Palace, takes place on the second Saturday in June when there is better chance of nice weather. What a lucky old girl!