The Ambassador hosted the annual Queen’s Birthday Party reception in the garden of his official Residence in June 2009 – the United Kingdom’s “National Day” celebration. Although the Queen’s actual birthday is on 21 April, she also celebrates her Official Birthday on either the second or third Saturday in June – in 2009 her Official Birthday will be celebrated on the 18th of June.  

The tradition of the monarch having an Official Birthday was started for practical reasons.  Monarchs who had their birthdays during winter months often had their celebrations spoiled by cold, wet weather.  King Edward VII, whose actual birthday was 9 November, was the first monarch to hold his Official Birthday on a different day, choosing instead a day in either May or June.  The tradition was revived by the father of the present Queen, King George VI, who was born in mid-December.  He “moved” the birthday to June when fine weather was more likely and the practice has been followed ever since.

The Queen usually spends her actual birthday privately at Windsor Castle with family and friends.  Her Official Birthday in June is always marked with the ceremony of the Trooping of the Colour, and a fly-past over Buckingham Palace.

The Queen’s Birthday Honours List is also announced on the date of the Official Birthday, the Union flag is flown from government buildings and gun salutes are fired at noon.

British Diplomatic Missions around the world can choose to hold a celebration around the date of the Queen’s private or official birthday – according to the weather conditions prevailing in each country. In Poland, the celebration takes place in June.