Pubs to open late for Queen's b-day

LONDON — English pubs will be allowed to open longer during the weekend in June celebrating Queen Elizabeth II's 90th birthday, Prime Minister David Cameron told parliament on Wednesday to cheers from MPs.

"We will be extending pub opening hours on the 10th and 11th of June this year to mark Her Majesty The Queen's 90th birthday. I'm sure that will be welcomed right across the House," he told the House of Commons.

Pubs in England and Wales, which normally have to close at 11 p.m. will be allowed to open until 1 a. m., the government said later in a statement.

Separate laws apply in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The British monarch turns 90 on April 21, although her birthdays are traditionally celebrated in June with the Trooping the Colour military parade.

This year the ceremony will be held on June 11, a day after a thanksgiving service with the queen and her husband Prince Philip in St Paul's Cathedral which will coincide with his 95th birthday.

There will also be a street party on The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace on June 12.

The queen became Britain's longest-serving monarch on September 9 last year, overtaking her great- great- grandmother Queen Victoria.

"Inevitably, a long life can pass by many milestones. My own is no exception," she said on the day, adding that the landmark was "not one to which I have ever aspired."

Pubs in England and Wales are only allowed to open late if they have special licenses, although extended hours are granted on particular dates such as New Year's Eve and some public holidays.

(AFP)