Vatican City, Apr 22, 2016 / 09:30 am
Last year Queen Elizabeth II became the longest reigning monarch in British history, and on Thursday she passed yet another milestone – becoming the first monarch to ever reach the age of 90.
Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her 90th birthday April 21 by unveiling a special plaque on Windsor's Queen's Walkway before lighting the first in a series of beacons marking the special day. Official gun salutes could be heard throughout the U.K.
Numerous events marking the event are set to take place throughout the coming months, culminating with a national service of Thanksgiving, a parade and large picnic outside Buckingham Palace in June when the Queen's "official" birthday is celebrated, following a longstanding monarchal tradition.
The Vatican itself has decided to mark the Queen's birthday by playing a cricket match against the Royal Household at the Capannelle Ground in Rome this Saturday, April 23.