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The Queen actually has two birthdays – this is why

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PHOTO: Getty Images/Gallo Images
PHOTO: Getty Images/Gallo Images

Cape Town - Queen Elizabeth II is celebrating her 92nd birthday today – but did you know that it’s not her only one?

Her Majesty was born on 21 April 1926, but she also has an “official” birthday in June, according to The Express.

Apparently, it all has to do with the weather, of all things!

The strange tradition began over 250 years ago in 1748 with King George II, who felt it would be too cold for a birthday celebration (he was born in November) in winter.

So as one does, he decided to declare a second, official birthday for himself in summer.

King George combined it with a military parade, so he opted for a mid-year birthday, when the UK weather would hopefully be a bit more cheery, The Telegraph reports.

Since then, the reigning monarch has always been given the option of choosing an official birthday for public celebrations.

The Queen opted for the second Saturday in June, which will fall on 9 June in 2018.

The nonagenarian usually marks the occasion with the Trooping the Colour parade, which the royal family watches from the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

The double-birthday convention gives the Queen the luxury of spending her real birthday at home with her family.

But this year, the Queen will break with tradition and attend a lavish birthday bash in her honour at Royal Albert Hall.

The concert, thrown by the BBC, will showcase music from each decade of the Queen’s reign, Reuters reports.

Sources: The Express, The Telegraph, Reuters

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