King's Official Birthday facts for kids
The King's Official Birthday is a special day in the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth realms. It's when people officially celebrate the birthday of the king or queen. This day isn't always the monarch's actual birthday.
The idea of an official birthday started in 1748 for King George II. Since then, countries in the British Empire and later the Commonwealth of Nations have chosen a day to celebrate.
Today, the date changes depending on the country. It's usually in late May or early June. This time of year often has good weather in the Northern Hemisphere. Good weather is perfect for outdoor parties and ceremonies! In most places, it's a public holiday. Many Commonwealth countries also announce special awards called Birthday Honours on this day.
Since Charles III became king on September 8, 2022, this holiday might change in some places.
Contents
- Australia's King's Birthday Celebration
- Belize's Sovereign's Day
- Canada's Victoria Day and Official Birthday
- New Zealand's King's Birthday
- Papua New Guinea's Queen's Official Birthday
- Solomon Islands' Queen's Official Birthday
- Tuvalu's Queen's Official Birthday
- United Kingdom's Official Birthday
- Other Commonwealth Countries' Celebrations
- See also
Australia's King's Birthday Celebration
Most Australian states celebrate the King's Birthday on the second Monday in June. But Western Australia and Queensland are different. Western Australia celebrates Western Australia Day in early June. So, the governor of Western Australia chooses a different day for the King's Birthday. It's usually in late September or early October. Some areas in Western Australia even pick other days for local events.
In 2012, Queensland celebrated the holiday in October. This was to make space for Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee in June. Since 2016, Queensland celebrates the holiday on the first Monday of October.
Norfolk Island has its own holiday, Bounty Day, on June 8. So, they celebrate the King's Birthday on the Monday after the second Saturday in June. Christmas Island doesn't have a King's Birthday holiday at all.
Australia has celebrated this day since 1788. That's when Governor Arthur Phillip declared a holiday for the king's birthday. Until 1936, it was on the monarch's real birthday. But after King George V died, they decided to keep it on the second Monday in June. This helps spread out public holidays throughout the year.
The King's Birthday weekend used to be a traditional time for fireworks shows in Australia. But many states banned selling fireworks to the public in the 1980s. Only Tasmania and the Northern Territory still allow people to buy them. The King's Birthday Honours List is also announced around this time. It names people who receive Australian honours for their great service.
Belize's Sovereign's Day
Belize celebrates the Queen's birthday every year in May. It's called Sovereign's Day. There are parades in Belize City. Horse races are held in Belize City and Orange Walk Town. A cycling race also takes place between Belmopan and Cayo. Schools and universities have flag-raising ceremonies and other events to celebrate Sovereign's Day.
Canada's Victoria Day and Official Birthday
In Canada, the monarch's official birthday is on the last Monday before May 25. This day is also known as Victoria Day. Canada has celebrated the sovereign's birthday since 1845. That's when a law was passed to recognize Queen Victoria's birthday on May 24 as a public holiday.
After Queen Victoria died in 1901, May 24 became Victoria Day. The official birthday of the reigning monarch changed over the years. For Edward VII, it was still May 24. For George V, it was June 3, and for Edward VIII, it was June 23. These were their actual birthdays.
When Edward VIII gave up his throne in 1936, his brother George VI became king. George VI didn't want a big celebration for his birthday right away. But the prime minister, William Lyon Mackenzie King, and others felt a celebration would be a good start to his reign. So, George VI's official birthday in Canada was celebrated on different days between May 20 and June 14.
The first official birthday of Elizabeth II was the last one celebrated in June. In 1952, the date for Victoria Day was moved to the Monday before May 25. From 1953 to 1957, the monarch's official birthday was also celebrated on this same day. In 1957, this link became permanent.
These two holidays are separate by law, but they are observed on the same day. It's a general holiday in Nunavut and New Brunswick. Even though most people only talk about Victoria Day, the Queen's official birthday is marked. There's an artillery salute in capitals. The Royal Union Flag is flown on federal buildings if there's a second flagpole.
The Canadian monarch has been in Canada for their official birthday twice. King George VI was there in 1939. Queen Elizabeth II was there in 2005. Prince Charles (now King Charles III) and his wife, Camilla, have also attended events in Canada to mark the Queen's official birthday.
New Zealand's King's Birthday
In New Zealand, King's Birthday is a public holiday on the first Monday in June. The celebrations are mostly official. This includes the King's Birthday Honours list and military ceremonies.
There were ideas to replace this holiday with Matariki (Māori New Year). But in 2022, Matariki became a separate official holiday. So, the King's Birthday holiday remains. There was also an idea to rename the King's Birthday weekend to Hillary weekend, after mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary, in 2009.
Papua New Guinea's Queen's Official Birthday
The Queen's Official Birthday is a public holiday in Papua New Guinea. It's usually celebrated on the second Monday of June each year. Official parties happen at hotels in Port Moresby. The day is full of sports games, fireworks, and other fun events. Honours and medals are given to Papua New Guineans for their public service. These are announced in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.
Solomon Islands' Queen's Official Birthday
The Queen's Official Birthday is a public holiday in the Solomon Islands. It's usually celebrated on the second Saturday of June every year. It's one of the most important events there. The day starts with the police band playing in the capital city of Honiara. Rallies are held across the islands, followed by sports and traditional dancing. The parties often last late into the night.
The Governor-General of the Solomon Islands gives a speech on the Queen's Birthday. Honours and medals are given to people who have done brave things and great service for the Solomon Islands.
Tuvalu's Queen's Official Birthday
The Queen's Official Birthday is a public holiday in Tuvalu. It's usually celebrated on the second Saturday of June each year. Tuvaluans celebrate with church services and prayers. They sing God Save The Queen and Tuvalu mo te Atua. There are flag hoistings, public speeches, a Royal Salute, and a parade. Since it's a public holiday, government offices, schools, and most businesses are closed.
Tuvaluans also celebrate the birthday of the Prince of Wales (now King Charles III). This is called Heir to the Throne Day and is a public holiday in November.
United Kingdom's Official Birthday
The monarch's birthday has been celebrated in the United Kingdom since 1748. Queen Elizabeth II's Official Birthday was first on the second Thursday of June. This was the same day her father, King George VI, celebrated his. But in 1959, it changed to the second Saturday of June. Edward VII, who reigned from 1901 to 1910, had his birthday in November. After 1908, he moved the ceremony to summer for better weather.
In London, the day is marked by the Trooping the Colour ceremony. This is also known as the Queen's Birthday Parade. The list of Birthday Honours is also announced around this time. In British embassies around the world, this day is treated as the National Day of the United Kingdom. It's not a specific public holiday in the UK. However, some government workers get a "privilege day" off. This is often combined with the Spring Bank Holiday (last Monday in May) to make a four-day weekend.
Parts of Scotland also celebrate Queen Victoria's birthday on the last Monday before or on May 24.
British Overseas Territories' Celebrations
The Queen's official birthday is a public holiday in most British overseas territories. This includes Anguilla, the Cayman Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Bermuda used to have a public holiday for it. But in 2008, the government decided to replace it with National Heroes' Day. Some people protested, but the change happened.
Still, the Queen's Official Birthday is marked in Bermuda. There's a public parade on Front Street in the City of Hamilton. There's also a "Queen's Birthday Party" at Government House. The Falkland Islands celebrate the Queen's actual birthday, April 21, as a public holiday.
Other Commonwealth Countries' Celebrations
In Saint Kitts and Nevis, the date for the Queen's Official Birthday is chosen each year. The Cook Islands, which is linked with New Zealand, also celebrates the holiday on the second Monday of June.
Fiji stopped having a monarchy in 1987. But the Queen's Birthday was still celebrated there on June 12 until 2012. That year, the government announced the holiday would be stopped.
See also
In Spanish: Cumpleaños Oficial del Rey para niños
- Day of the Sun (North Korea)
- Grand Duke's Official Birthday (Luxembourg)
- King's Feast (Belgium)
- Koningsdag (Netherlands)
- The Emperor's Birthday (Japan)
