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Charles to lead Queen's 80th tributes


11/ 4/2006

PRINCE Charles will pay a televised tribute to the Queen on her 80th birthday.

Charles will deliver congratulatory wishes to his mother in a message which will to be broadcast on Friday next week.

Fours years ago, the heir to the throne paid an affectionate tribute to her during the Golden Jubilee.

In front of 12,000 people at a pop concert in the grounds of Buckingham Palace, he turned to the Queen and said "Your Majesty" before pausing to add "Mummy" to the delight of the crowd.

Clarence House has yet to release the timings of the tribute, which is being recorded by the BBC.

Dinner

Charles will also host a special 80th birthday dinner for the Queen with around 25 members of the Royal Family at Kew Palace the same evening.

The Queen has two birthdays - her actual one on April 21 and her official one which is celebrated in June.

The curious royal decision to give monarchs two birthdays dates back to the late 19th century reign of Edward VII.

His real birthday was on November 9, but he marked the occasion officially throughout his reign in May or June because the weather was better for parades and public events.

Buckingham Palace has arranged a string of events to mark the Queen's birthday including a party for 2,000 children in June.

Garden party

There will also be a garden party at Buckingham Palace for 3,000 people born on the same day April 21, 1926.

A series of photographs of the Queen, tracing her public and family life over the last 80 years, is on display at Windsor Castle's Drawings Gallery until March next year.

And at the Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace until June 11, the public can see the new portrait of the Queen by Rolf Harris, which was commissioned by the BBC to mark her 80th birthday.

80 facts

Buckingham Palace has published 80 facts about the Queen to mark her birthday which will test the knowledge of even the most ardent royal watcher.

According to a little-known law, the Queen owns all the whales, dolphins, porpoises and sturgeons in the waters around the UK.

She has also received everything from jaguars, sloths, eggs and even 15lb (7kg) of prawns as presents.

And anyone who believes the Monarchy is slow to adapt to changing times might be surprised to learn the Queen sent her first email from an Army base... in 1976.

Were you born on April 21, 1926?

Please tell us about the plans for your birthday celebrations by calling the M.E.N. newsdesk on 0161 211 2323.


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Most recent 1 of 1 user comments

   Edward VII ascended the throne in 1901 on the death of Queen Victoria and reigned until 1910. As you should know, the only monarch in the late 19th century was Queen Victoria. Russell Lamb
Russell Lamb, Washington, DC
12/04/2006 at 19:16

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