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Queen Elizabeth II

You only turn 90 once: The Queen throws final birthday party for herself

Just when you thought Queen Elizabeth’s birthday celebrations were over, she snuck in one last birthday bash.

On Tuesday, Her Majesty’s final birthday party was held at London’s Drapers’ Hall. The celebrations to mark the milestone 90th birthday saw attendants such as Prince Philip, the Princess Royal, her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Lawrence, and Princess Eugenie of York. Senior members of the family such as Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall were in Cornwall for a 3-day tour. Prince Harry was on his way to South Africa for the International AIDS conference and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were at their Anmer Hall residence while Prince William was on shift for the air ambulance.

Drapers’ Hall- the backdrop for the summer drinks reception was founded over 600 years ago. Listed as one of the Twelve Great Livery Companies in the City of London, The Drapers’ Company is incorporated by Royal Charter.

Aside from Royal Family members, senior members of Queen Elizabeth’s household were also invited. Sir Alan Reid, Keeper of the Privy Purse, her Private Secretary Sir Christopher Geidt and lady-in-waiting Lady Susan Hussey all joined in the celebrations.

The party was also the last chance for family and friends to gather before the Queen and Prince Philip head off to Balmoral in Scotland for their annual summer vacation. Since Queen Victoria purchased Balmoral in 1852, the castle has been the official Scottish home for the Royal Family and a great escape for the family to relax and get away from the media.

The Queen has remained very lighthearted about reaching such a milestone birthday, joking last month saying “I’m still alive!,” to Northern Irish politician Martin McGuiness while on a visit to Belfast when he inquired how she was doing and at the Patron’s Lunch: “How I will feel if people are still singing Happy Birthday to me in December remains to be seen.”

 

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