Queen Elizabeth II was born on 21st April 1926. Her father, grandfather and Queen Victoria all had birthdays in winter so the official Queen’s birthday is celebrated in the UK in June when the weather is warmer. This year it is June 11th. It is not a holiday though in the UK. The celebrations in London are a wonderful display of soldiers in red jackets, horses with riders in yellow jackets and musicians marching in a band. They parade from Buckingham Palace along the Mall. The Queen attends and salutes the soldiers.

　　The Commonwealth countries choose their own day to celebrate the Queen’s Birthday. In Australia, it is the second Monday in June.

　　New Zealand does not have parades or ceremonies although there will be a 21 gun salute to honour the Queen. Commonwealth countries have a Queen’s Birthday honours list. People who have served the country receive honours. We usually hear their names on the radio or read them in the newspaper on the morning of Queen’s Birthday. Listen to Queen’s Birthday Honours 2010 to hear more about this.

　　A holiday in June is welcome because the next public holiday is not until Labour Day near the end of October. Unfortunately, the weather in New Zealand in June is usually cold and wet.

　　Questions

　　Do you think New Zealand should celebrate Queen’s Birthday? Why?

　　Why do we have a 21 gun salute?