United Kingdom
Argentina 
Australia 
Austria 
Brazil 
Canada 
Germany 
Ireland 
Italy 
Malaysia 
Mexico 
New Zealand 
Poland 
South Africa 
United States What time the gun salutes are for the Queen's 96th birthday today
The Queen celebrates her 96th birthday today, in what will be a traditionally low-key affair with close family members.
Every year the Queen marks her birthday twice; once on the anniversary of her date of birth, and then again with the “official” ceremonial occasion in June.
Her state birthday in June is usually marked with a large-scale public celebration, led by the glitzy spectacle of Trooping the Colour.
Her actual birthday is mostly reserved for private celebrations, though is marked by gun salutes in some of the country’s most famous parks.
The Royal Family’s official Twitter account marked the occasion by sharing a picture of the Queen aged two.
Happy Birthday Your Majesty!
Today as The Queen turns 96, we’re sharing this photograph of the young Princess Elizabeth aged 2.
Then, in 1928, it was never expected she would be Queen, and this year Her Majesty is celebrating her #PlatinumJubilee – a first in British history. pic.twitter.com/DnwsMU81I3
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) April 21, 2022
“Then, in 1928, it was never expected she would be Queen, and this year Her Majesty is celebrating her Platinum Jubilee – a first in British history,” the tweet said.
Royal Windsor Horse Show released a new image of the Queen alongside two of her white fell ponies taken at Windsor Castle last month.
There are three gun salutes that mark the Queen’s birthday; 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.
The Hyde Park and Windsor salutes both start at midday.
The public is invited to attend both events. Children at the Windsor event, which takes place on the Long Walk outside Windsor Castle, may be given the opportunity to fire the ceremonial cannon. Families wishing to be involved are advised to arrive by 11.50am.
To mark Her Majesty The Queen’s 96th birthday, there will be a spectacular 41 Gun Salute by @KingsTroopRHA in @theroyalparks Hyde Park at 12 noon tomorrow.
Please avoid the area at this time if you are walking a dog as the gun fire is very loud and can be startling. pic.twitter.com/hs5PczKN0X
— The Royal Parks (@theroyalparks) April 20, 2022
The Royal Parks have advised dog walkers to avoid Hyde Park around midday due to the loud noise.
The Tower of London salute will take place at 1pm, and can be viewed from Tower Hill. However, people with tickets to the Tower of London can secure a closer view.
The Wharf closes at least an hour before the gun salute, and there is no access to parts of the Wharf during the set-up and duration of the gun salute.
You can buy Tower of London tickets here.
Why does the Queen have two birthdays?The convention of an official monarch’s birthday has been in place since 1748, during the reign of King George II.
George’s birthday fell in November, but he decided to change it so he could mark the occasion with a large-scale public celebration during the warmer months.
He made the decision to combine his celebration with Trooping the Colour, an annual military parade in the summer.
The Queen initially marked her “official” birthday on the second Thursday of June, the same day as her father, King George VI.
However, she changed it to its current position – the second Saturday of June – in 1959, seven years into her reign.
Technically, she actually has a few more birthdays, with some Commonwealth nations celebrating at different times.
In the majority of Australia, where the Queen is head of state, there is a public holiday on the second Monday in June, but Western Australia celebrates in September or October. In New Zealand it is the first Monday in June, and in Canada it is in May.
