HM The Queen’s 90th birthday extravaganza at Windsor 2016
On April 21, HM The Queen turned 90 years old. A spectacular four-night equestrian-themed party in Windsor Castle’s Private Home Park begins this evening to mark the occasion, kicking off a summer of celebration. And don’t worry if you can’t get to Windsor, the final night is set to be broadcast on television in the UK.
The Queen’s 90th Birthday Celebrations
Windsor Castle, Thursday 12 May to Sunday 15 May
A spectacular equestrian-themed party in Windsor Castle’s Private Home Park is one of the nation’s flagship events for HM The Queen’s 90th birthday. The four-night theatrical show will celebrate the Queen’s life, love of horses, her dedication to the Commonwealth and international affairs and her deep involvement with the Army, Navy and Air Force. Lasting 90 minutes, the show is set to feature more than 1,000 participants and over 500 horses. Members of the Royal Family will attend each evening, with the Queen attending on the final evening, which will be broadcast live on ITV.
Here are the other ways you can celebrate Her Majesty’s milestone.
Fashioning a Reign: 90 years of Style from The Queen’s Wardrobe
Palace of Holyroodhouse, Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, until 8 January 2017
Three special exhibitions will be staged across each of Her Majesty’s official residences during 2016 in the largest display of the The Queen’s wardrobe, with more than 150 outfits on show, and each special exhibition showing a selection of outfits chosen for their close association with the location.
The Queen’s support of British couture and millinery will be highlighted through important pieces created for a world stage by renowned designers, including Sir Norman Hartnell, Sir Hardy Amies and Ian Thomas.
The first exhibition runs at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh until 16 October 2016. The second, and largest exhibition will be at the Summer Opening of the State Rooms, Buckingham Palace, from 23 July to 2 October 2016 and the third will open at Windsor Castle from 17 September 2016 to 8 January 2017.
The Queen’s Birthday Parade
Trooping the Colour, Horse Guards Parade, London, Saturday 11 June
Her Majesty accompanied by members of the Royal Family will attend at The Queen’s Birthday Parade on Horse Guards Parade. The Trooping the Colour on Horse Guards Parade near London’s St James’s Park marks The Queen’s official birthday annually.
The ceremony is full of military pomp and pageantry as The Queen carries out an inspection of the troops from the Household Division. The Queen then leads the troops down the Mall to Buckingham Palace, one of London’s most famous landmarks. The Queen salutes and guns are fired in Green Park and at the Tower of London before she joins other members of the Royal Family on the balcony to watch the RAF flypast.
Patron’s Lunch
The Mall, London, Sunday 12 June
The Mall in St James’s Park will be transformed for its largest ever street party to celebrate The Queen’s patronage of more than 600 charities and organisations on the occasion of her 90th birthday with 10,000 guests, the majority of which will be representatives from the Patron’s Organisations, taking part in a classic British ‘street party’.
The guests will enjoy a hamper-style lunch at tables positioned along the full length of The Mall, with entertainment, while Her Majesty The Queen will be joined by the Duke of Edinburgh and other members of the Royal Family to celebrate the occasion.
The day can also be enjoyed by the public who will be able to soak up the festivities at large screens situated in Green Park and St James’s Park. But the fun and celebrations won’t just be happening on The Mall, it is hoped The Patron’s Lunch will inspire people to host their own Patron’s Lunch in streets along the length and breadth of our nation and across the Commonwealth.
