Queen attends pop concert to celebrate 92nd birthday
LONDON — The Queen marked her 92nd birthday with a Saturday night concert in London featuring British singers such as Sting, Tom Jones and Jamie Cullum.
Kylie Minogue, Shaggy and Craig David also performed for the “Queen’s Birthday Party” at Royal Albert Hall.
The Queen — the world’s longest-reigning living monarch — was in the audience along with other members of the royal family. Prince Harry led tributes to his grandmother in his new role as president of The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust.
Also on Saturday, honorary gun salutes were staged in Hyde Park, the Tower of London and the town of Windsor to mark the occasion.
The Queen celebrates two birthdays every year: Her actual birthday on April 21, which she usually marks privately with her family, and her “official birthday” in the summer. That usually falls on the second Saturday in June, when she joins the Trooping the Color military parade in central London.
The Queen’s official birthday this year came on the tails of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, which brought the leaders of the 53 Commonwealth countries together in England.
The Queen has led the disparate group, made up of Britain and its former colonies, since she took the throne in 1952.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement early Saturday wishing the monarch a happy birthday.
“I met with Her Majesty this week in London, as did many Commonwealth leaders from around the world. What was clear during our time together is that the affection and admiration so many of us feel is equally shared by people from every corner of the world,” he said in a written statement.
“As Canadians, we have shared many special moments with Her Majesty and the Royal Family and we look forward to many more to come.”