Queen Elizabeth II - the world’s longest reigning monarch - will be turning 92 years old on 21 April and she’ll be celebrating the big day in style.
The Queen traditionally celebrates her birthday twice a year, once on the day she was born (21 April), and on her “official” birthday in June, which is traditionally marked by the Trooping the Colour ceremony. The Queen’s real birthday is usually celebrated in private with several gun salutes throughout central London at midday.
How is she celebrating?
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Latest Videos FromThe Week
This year, the BBC will be throwing the Queen a live music extravaganza with a star-studded line-up.
“Not many 92-year-olds get to have such a hot ticket for their birthday,” says Time. “Between her front-row fashion cred and now this, it’s official: the Queen is getting cooler every year.”
The Queen's Birthday Party will be broadcast live on Saturday 21 April at 8pm on BBC One and BBC Radio 2. The concert will take place at the Royal Albert Hall after the week of the 25th Commonwealth Heads of Government summit.
The concert will be attended by members of the public who were quick enough to grab tickets. They started at about £22, but are unfortunately now sold out.
Lewis Carnie, head of BBC Radio 2, said: “It promises to be a spectacular evening of entertainment destined to bring the whole nation together.”
Who is performing?
This year’s line-up, announced last month, will include Sting and Shaggy (who will be releasing a joint album the day before the event), Australian pop icon Kylie Minogue and teen singer-songwriter Shawn Mendes.
Other performers include British rapper Craig David, Sir Tom Jones, Anne-Marie and South African male choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
Who else will be there?
Several royal family members are expected to attend, including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. It’s unclear whether Prince William and Kate Middleton will attend since their third baby is expected close to the time of the show.
