Ninety is the new 70

SOME months ago, Canadian premier Justin Trudeau was gently chided by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II at a Commonwealth dinner after making a short speech paying tribute to her great age. “Thank you, Mr Prime Minister of Canada,” she replied, “for making me feel so old.”

And having already celebrated her real birthday with some fanfare back in April, she could reasonably be forgiven for wanting no further reminders.

Yet there could be no avoiding the subject at yesterday’s magnificent event at St Paul’s Cathedral.

There, the largest assembly of the extended Royal Family in years, along with the entire political establishment and stalwarts of local communities, had gathered for the national service of thanksgiving to mark the 90th birthday of “Her Majesty the Queen”.

There, alongside the birthday girl who was wearing a primrose yellow coat and dress, sat a birthday boy who was celebrating his actual 95th yesterday, Prince Philip.

– Daily Mail