The Queen's 84th Birthday was celebrated by many including Australians for Constitutional Monarchy on Wednesday 21 April 2010. The Australia –Britain Society celebrated the day in advance on 12 April with a lunch at Parliament House addressed by Her Excellency The Governor, Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO.
In ACM’s Sydney celebration on 21 April , a lunch was held at Cello’s, one of the last grand dining rooms in the city. The lunch was addressed by Sir David Smith KCVO AO (a full report will follow)
In wishing Her Majesty Happy Birthday, Australians for Constitutional Monarchy would record their gratitude for the impeccable service her Majesty has rendered to the nation and to the Commonwealth.
A selection of photographs from the Sydney function follows, as well as a short video of the opening of Sir David's address "The Head of State Revisited". ( A separate report on this, together with a video of a special interview with Sir David on the Head of State will follow.)
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…The Queen’s Birthdays…
While The Queen celebrates her actual birthday on 21 April, official birthdays are designated in the Realms and Fiji. This is on a Saturday in June in London, marked by the spectacular Trooping the Colour parade.
In New Zealand the Queen’s Birthday is celebrated on the first Monday in June. It has been celebrated in Australia since 1788, being moved from the Sovereign’s actual birthday after the death of King George V. Since 1936 it has been observed on the second Monday in June, except in Western Australia. Because it would be too close to Foundation Day, it is celebrated in September or October.
In Canada this is celebrated on 24 May, Queen Victoria’s birthday.
The Queen usually spends her actual birthday as an ordinary working day. ( Although 84, The Queen continues with her duties, for which she is not paid. The sums received in the Civil List and other sources are to cover the cost of the performance of official functions, including staff and buildings. Ironically, much of this comes from The Queen's properties held in the Crown Estate, from which the UK government makes a handsome profit.)
On this day, there are gun salutes in London at midday: a 41 gun salute in Hyde Park, a 21 gun salute in Windsor Great Park and a 62 gun salute at the Tower of London.