Queen Mother’s Birthdays

Today marks the 120th Anniversary of the Birth of Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, who was born on this day in 1900. To mark the day, we will be taking a look at the many birthday celebrations of the Royal Matriarch who lived to see 101 Birthdays!

Embed from Getty Images

For her 50th Birthday in 1950, a special portrait of the then Queen Elizabeth (wearing the Oriental Circlet Tiara and Queen Victoria’s Crown Ruby Parure) was released, which had been taken by Cecil Beaton at Buckingham Palace.

Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty Images

In 1960, the now Queen Mother received a visit from Prince Charles, Princess Anne, and the newborn Prince Andrew at Clarence House on her Birthday, and was pictured cutting the cake at an event a few weeks later.

Embed from Getty Images

Similarly, in 1970, the Queen Mother was pictured with her three youngest grandchildren, Viscount Linley, Prince Edward, and Lady Sarah Armstrong Jones, who visited her at Royal Lodge, Windsor on her 70th Birthday.

For her 75th, the Queen Mother (wearing the Greville Tiara and Queen Alexandra’s Wedding Necklace) sat for a series of portraits by Norman Parkinson at Clarence House, which were released on her Birthday.

Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty Images

The Queen Mother’s 80th Birthday was a much grander affair, starting with a Service at St. Pauls Cathedral, followed by an appearance on the Balcony of Buckingham Palace, and a special Performance of the Royal Ballet in honour of the Queen Mother (in the Oriental Circlet Tiara and Queen Victoria’s Crown Ruby Parure) at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden that evening. A few weeks later, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher hosted a Dinner at 10 Downing Street, and there were a few other dinners and galas to mark the Birthday throughout the year.

Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty Images

The Queen Mother’s 90th Birthday Celebrations in 1990 included a Birthday Tribute at Horse Guards Parade, a Gala Performance at the London Palladium, a Dinner on the Royal Yacht Britannia, and the ‘Dance of the Decades’ at Buckingham Palace at the end of the year.

Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty Images

In 2000, the Queen Mother’s 100th Birthday celebrations began with a Service at St. Pauls Cathedral in July, with the King and Queen of Norway, the King and Queen of Belgium, the King and Queen of Greece, the King and Queen of Romania, and the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg among the Royal Guests in attendance. On the day of the birthday itself, there was the traditional greeting outside Clarence House and an appearance on the Balcony of Buckingham Palace followed by a performance of the Kirov Ballet at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden that evening.

Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty Images

The Queen Mother’s 101st (and last) Birthday began with the traditional greeting outside Clarence House followed by a Concert at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden that evening. There was also a fun video of the Royal Family at Clarence House.

4

One thought on “Queen Mother’s Birthdays

  1. Wonderful. What a delight. A beautiful celebration and remembrance of an extraordinary woman, during a dark time. Many thanks!

Leave a Reply