Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44n September last year the Queen became Britain’s longest serving monarch surpassing the reign of her great great grandmother Victoria whose reign lasted 63 years and 216 days. This summer she has celebrated her 90th birthday alongside her husband Prince Philip, five years her senior. Though her actual birthday is 21st April the tradition of a second celebration began 1748 with George II who was born in November and felt the weather too cold to hold his birthday parade at that time of year. Instead he combined his celebrations with an annual military parade known as Trooping the Colour. The event is held in June every year and serves to familiarise troops with their regiment’s colours and flags so soldiers can quickly identify their unit on the battlefield. A pageant of 1,400 officers, 200 horses and musicians from 10 bands take part in the display at Horseguards Parade behind Whitehall. Mother to Prince Charles, Princess Ann, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward she is now grandmother to eight and great-grandmother to three; Isla, Charlotte and George. Head of the family and head of the country - long may you reign. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ma’am Celebrating her 90th birthday this summer Queen Elizabeth II has proved to be a first class monarch by Rachel Lewis THE RIVER SUMMER 2016 • CULTURE• 21 The Queen at the annual Trooping the Colour, 90 years old this year