The Queen’s Birthday

The Queen is the only person in Britain with

two birthdays. Her actual birthday on 21 April and her official birthday on second Saturday in June.

actual – фактический, реальный second - второй

Official celebrations to mark Sovereigns'

birthday have often been held on a day other than the actual birthday, particularly when the actual birthday has not been in the summer.

sovereign – монахparticularly – особенно

King Edward VII, for example, was born on 9

November, but his official birthday was marked throughout his reign in May or June when there was a greater likelihood of good weather for the Birthday.

great (greater/the greatest) – высокий, великийlikelihood - вероятностьweather - погода

born – рождённый, рождёнmark – здесь: отмечатьthroughout - повсюдуreign – господство, величие

And on the Queen's official birthday, there is a

traditional ceremony called the Trooping of the Colour. It's a big parade with brass bands and hundreds of soldiers at Horse Guards' Parade in London.

trooping – собираться толпойbrass - духовые инструменты

A "regiment" of the Queen's soldiers, the

Guards, march in front of her. At the front of the parade is the regiments flag or "colour". The Guards are trooping the colour.

regiment – полкmarch - маршировать, маршin front of - перед

Thousands of Londoners and visitors watch in

Horse Guards' Parade. And millions of people at home watch it on television.

visitor – посетитель

The Queen usually spends her actual birthday

privately, but the occasion is marked publicly by gun salutes in central 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.

gun – ружьё, оружиеmidday - полденьtower - башня

spend – проводить, тратитьprivately – частным образом, негласноoccasion – случай, возможность, повод, причина

In 2006, Her Majesty celebrated her 80th with

a walkabout in the streets outside of Windsor Castle to meet well-wishers.

Her Majesty – Её Величествоwalkabout - прогулка высокого лица с целью неофициального общения с народом, пешая прогулкаoutside – за пределами, снаружиcastle – замок, дворец