The portrait of the Queen by British photographer David Bailey released for her 88th birthday. Photo: David Bailey/PA WireTraditional gun salutes yesterday marked the 88th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II, who decided to spend the day privately at Windsor Castle.
The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired a 41-gun royal salute from Green Park in central London at midday, using six 13-pounder World War I guns drawn by 71 horses.
An hour later, the Honourable Artillery Company fired a 62 Gun royal salute from Tower Wharf by the Tower of London.
Before the King’s Troop arrived in Green Park, the Band of the Honourable Artillery Company and Royal Yeomanry played a selection of celebratory music close to the firing position.
Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born at 2.40am on April 21, 1926 – the first child of the then Duke and Duchess of York – at 17, Bruton Street, the Mayfair home of her mother’s parents, the Earl and Countess of Strathmore.
The Queen has two birthdays – her actual one celebrated yesterday and her official one in June
She is the great-great-grandchild of Queen Victoria, the last female sovereign.
The Queen has two birthdays – her actual one celebrated yesterday and her official one in June, which is celebrated with the Trooping the Colour parade.
A portrait of the Queen by the renowned British photographer David Bailey was released on Sunday ahead of her birthday.
The photograph of the smiling monarch was taken at Buckingham Palace in March and commissioned on behalf of the government’s Great Britain campaign.
The Queen is wearing pearls and a dress by Angela Kelly, who has served as personal assistant and senior dresser to her since 2002.
It is hoped that the image will encourage overseas visitors to experience Britain's royal heritage. Britain's monarchy, including royal heritage and property, is one of the biggest drivers of tourism into the UK, generating an estimated £500 million per year from overseas tourism spend.