Why does the Queen have two birthdays – and how is she spending them this year?

By Rob Picheta, CNN
3 minute read
Updated 4:41 PM EDT, Tue April 21, 2020
British monarchs have enjoyed two birthdays since the 18th century.
British monarchs have enjoyed two birthdays since the 18th century.
Kirsty Wigglesworth/AFP/Getty Images
London CNN  — 

Anyone unlucky enough to have their birthday fall in the middle of a global pandemic may be planning two big days this year – one on the actual date, and another when they can finally celebrate with friends.

On that front, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II is well ahead of the curve.

The monarch has enjoyed two birthdays a year since she ascended the throne, and the tradition actually started a lot further back than that.

The Queen’s real birthday is April 21, meaning she turns 94 on Tuesday.

But she reaches for her party hat again in June. British monarchs have doubled up on the festivities since the 18th century, holding an “official” birthday each year for a public celebration, and tending to celebrate more privately on the real date.

Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-reigning monarch in British history.
Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-reigning monarch in British history.
Eddie Mulholland/WPA Pool/Getty Images
Elizabeth was born April 21, 1926, in London. She is held here by her mother, also named Elizabeth. Her father would later become King George VI.
Elizabeth was born April 21, 1926, in London. She is held here by her mother, also named Elizabeth. Her father would later become King George VI.
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Princess Elizabeth poses for a photo at her London home in 1928.
Princess Elizabeth poses for a photo at her London home in 1928.
Hulton-Deutsch Collection/Corbis/Getty Images
Princess Elizabeth is seen with her uncle Edward, Prince of Wales, during a visit to Balmoral, Scotland, in September 1933. He would go on to become King Edward VIII in 1936. But when he abdicated later that year, Elizabeth's father became King and she became heir presumptive.
Princess Elizabeth is seen with her uncle Edward, Prince of Wales, during a visit to Balmoral, Scotland, in September 1933. He would go on to become King Edward VIII in 1936. But when he abdicated later that year, Elizabeth's father became King and she became heir presumptive.
AP
From left, Princess Elizabeth, King George VI, Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret wave to the crowd from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on June 22, 1939.
From left, Princess Elizabeth, King George VI, Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret wave to the crowd from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on June 22, 1939.
Len Puttnam/AP
Elizabeth rides a horse in Windsor, England, in 1940. Her love of horses has been well documented.
Elizabeth rides a horse in Windsor, England, in 1940. Her love of horses has been well documented.
Lisa Sheridan/Studio Lisa/Getty Images
A 14-year-old Elizabeth, right, sits next to her sister for a radio broadcast on October 13, 1940. On the broadcast, her first, she said that England's children were full of cheerfulness and courage.
A 14-year-old Elizabeth, right, sits next to her sister for a radio broadcast on October 13, 1940. On the broadcast, her first, she said that England's children were full of cheerfulness and courage.
AP
Princess Elizabeth shakes hands with an officer of the Grenadier Guards on May 29, 1942. King George VI made Elizabeth an honorary colonel in the Royal Army regiment.
Princess Elizabeth shakes hands with an officer of the Grenadier Guards on May 29, 1942. King George VI made Elizabeth an honorary colonel in the Royal Army regiment.
AP
Elizabeth, right, and Princess Margaret wear summer dresses circa 1942. Margaret is Elizabeth's only sibling.
Elizabeth, right, and Princess Margaret wear summer dresses circa 1942. Margaret is Elizabeth's only sibling.
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With the Drakensberg Mountains behind her, Princess Elizabeth sits in South Africa's Natal National Park on April 21, 1947. It was her 21st birthday.
With the Drakensberg Mountains behind her, Princess Elizabeth sits in South Africa's Natal National Park on April 21, 1947. It was her 21st birthday.
Eddie Worth/AP
On November 20, 1947, Elizabeth wed Prince Philip, a lieutenant in the British Navy who had been born into the royal families of Greece and Denmark. After becoming a British citizen and renouncing his Greek title, Philip became His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His wife became the Duchess of Edinburgh.
On November 20, 1947, Elizabeth wed Prince Philip, a lieutenant in the British Navy who had been born into the royal families of Greece and Denmark. After becoming a British citizen and renouncing his Greek title, Philip became His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His wife became the Duchess of Edinburgh.
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Princess Elizabeth arrives at a state banquet in London in March 1950.
Princess Elizabeth arrives at a state banquet in London in March 1950.
AP
Elizabeth ascended to the throne in February 1952, when her father died of lung cancer at the age of 56. Here, she walks to the altar during her coronation ceremony on June 2, 1953.
Elizabeth ascended to the throne in February 1952, when her father died of lung cancer at the age of 56. Here, she walks to the altar during her coronation ceremony on June 2, 1953.
AFP/Getty Images
Queen Elizabeth II is photographed on the balcony of Melbourne's Government House during her tour of Australia in March 1954.
Queen Elizabeth II is photographed on the balcony of Melbourne's Government House during her tour of Australia in March 1954.
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From left, Princess Margaret, Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen Mother visit Epsom Downs Racecourse in June 1958.
From left, Princess Margaret, Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen Mother visit Epsom Downs Racecourse in June 1958.
Fox Photos/Hulton Royals Collection/Getty Images
The Queen holds her son Prince Andrew while his sister, Princess Anne, watches during a family holiday at Scotland's Balmoral Castle in September 1960. The Queen has four children, including sons Charles and Edward.
The Queen holds her son Prince Andrew while his sister, Princess Anne, watches during a family holiday at Scotland's Balmoral Castle in September 1960. The Queen has four children, including sons Charles and Edward.
AP
Queen Elizabeth II is seen during the state opening of Parliament in April 1966.
Queen Elizabeth II is seen during the state opening of Parliament in April 1966.
AP
Queen Elizabeth II with her oldest son, Prince Charles, in 1969. Charles is next in line for the throne.
Queen Elizabeth II with her oldest son, Prince Charles, in 1969. Charles is next in line for the throne.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Prince Charles adjusts his coronet during his investiture ceremony as Prince of Wales in 1969.
Prince Charles adjusts his coronet during his investiture ceremony as Prince of Wales in 1969.
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The Queen and Prince Philip wave from a plane ramp shortly before taking off from Tokyo in May 1975.
The Queen and Prince Philip wave from a plane ramp shortly before taking off from Tokyo in May 1975.
Sadayuki Mikami/AP
The Queen takes a portrait at Windsor Castle for her 50th birthday on April 21, 1976.
The Queen takes a portrait at Windsor Castle for her 50th birthday on April 21, 1976.
Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone/Getty Images
The Queen meets the crowds during her royal tour of New Zealand in 1977.
The Queen meets the crowds during her royal tour of New Zealand in 1977.
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Elizabeth walks with some of her corgis at the Windsor Horse Trials in May 1980.
Elizabeth walks with some of her corgis at the Windsor Horse Trials in May 1980.
Press Association/AP
The Queen stands next to Prince Charles as he kisses his new bride, Princess Diana, on July 29, 1981.
The Queen stands next to Prince Charles as he kisses his new bride, Princess Diana, on July 29, 1981.
Tim Graham/Getty Images
Elizabeth takes pictures of her husband during a horse show in Windsor in May 1982.
Elizabeth takes pictures of her husband during a horse show in Windsor in May 1982.
Tim Graham/Getty Images