THE Queen will celebrate her official 90th birthday this weekend and Herefordshire residents are set to join the rest of the country, and the world in celebrating the monarch’s milestone birthday.

Born on April 21, 1926, in London, Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was the eldest daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York – she became the heir presumptive in 1936 on the abdication of her uncle King Edward VIII, and the succession of her father George VI.

In 1947, she married Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, with whom she has four children: Charles, Anne, Andrew, and Edward.

She was crowned Queen Elizabeth II on February 6, 1952 and became the longest-reigning UK Monarch last year when she reached the milestone of 63 years and 216 days.

She is not only The Queen of the United Kingdom but also the reigning Monarch in Canada, Australia and New Zealand along with being Head of the Commonwealth.

She is also The Queen of 12 countries that have become independent since her coronation which include: Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize, Antigua and Barbuda, and Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Despite The Monarch turning 90 on her actual birthday in April she celebrates her official birthday with the rest of the country this weekend.

The tradition of having two birthdays dates back to Edward VII who reigned between 1901 and 1910.

His actual birthday was in November but he decided to officially celebrate it in May or June when there was less chance of bad weather ruining outdoor events.

The Queen’s father George VI celebrated his official birthday on the second Thursday in June, but after several years on the throne this was changed.

The monarch’s official birthday can now be held on the first, second or third Saturday in June.

This year her birthday will be celebrated on June 11, and is marked by Trooping of the Colour and a fly-past over Buckingham Palace.

In 2012 thousands of the county residents caught a glimpse of Queen Elizabeth during her last visit to Hereford as part of her Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

As part of our celebrations Herefordshire’s Lord Lieutenant Lady Darnley, will be recalling that visit, and we’ll be taking a look at events scheduled up and down the county to mark the occasion.