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Elizabeth celebrates 81, quietly
21/04/2007 13:55 - (SA)
London - Britain's Queen Elizabeth II marked her 81st birthday in private on Saturday - a far cry from last year's public celebrations in front of cheering, flag-waving crowds.
The queen, on the throne since 1952, is to spend the day in private at Windsor Castle, the royal residence she considers home, and enjoy a private dinner with her husband Prince Philip, 85.
For her 80th birthday, the monarch had been greeted by large crowds in Windsor, a national service of thanksgiving was held and her eldest son and heir, Prince Charles, hosted a lavish dinner at Kew Palace, attended by all the senior royals.
The sovereign shows few signs of wanting to slow down. Though her hectic schedule has been scaled back, she still approaches her duties with her customary enthusiasm.
Commentators say she was conscious of her vow to serve as queen for life and would never consider relinquishing her role.
Along with her husband Prince Philip, the queen is set to pay a two-day visit to the United States on May 3 and 4 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown Settlement.
The queen, as head of the Commonwealth, will also attend the bi-annual Commonwealth heads of government meeting in the Ugandan capital Kampala in November.
Charles, 58, will also attend for the first time.
On the queen's birthday, the Union Jack is flown on all government buildings from 08:00 (0700 GMT) until sunset and royal gun salutes are fired in her honour.
'She looks marvellous'
The monarch also has, by tradition, a second official birthday on a Saturday in June, when the usually more clement weather is better suited to outdoor parades.
Arthur Edwards, The Sun newspaper's royal photographer, has photographed Queen Elizabeth for the past three decades.
"She looks marvellous for a woman of 81 and has an amazing complexion - the skin of a lady half her age," he said.
"And her clothes are always immaculate. I have never seen a stitch out of place.
"The queen usually spends her birthday in the same way as millions of other mothers in Britain do, with her family.
"But one thing is for certain, she won't think turning 81 is a big deal. She will most likely go for a ride along the river and take her dogs out.
"I am told the queen is happiest when she is with her horses and dogs, because they don't know she's the queen."
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