Britain’s reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth, celebrates her 96th birthday today and in honour of the occasion, Buckingham Palace has released a new official picture through her social media accounts.
In the image, which was posted on the Royal Family’s official social media accounts, the Queen stands between two of her white fell ponies. The ponies, named Bybeck Katie and Bybeck Nightingale, pose grandly with the Queen on the grounds of Windsor Castle.
The monarch wore a muted green coat in a shade that was similar to Prince Philip’s official livery colour.
The photo was snapped by a noted equestrian photographer, Henry Dallal, on behalf of the Royal Windsor Horse Show where the Queen is an avid patron and spectator.
The Queen is expected to celebrate her birthday by travelling by helicopter to her Norfolk estate where she will be joined by family and friends. She is expected to stay in a cottage on the estate while she is there.
Celebrations for the Queen’s birthday are muted at the moment despite it happening during her platinum jubilee year. Public celebrations will take place between June 2 and June 5 when the Queen’s official birthday comes around.
In addition, Mattel also announced that it will be releasing a Queen Elizabeth II doll to celebrate both her 96th birthday and her Platinum Jubilee. The Queen Elizabeth II Barbie doll will be part of Barbie’s Tribute Collection series and will go on sale on April 21.
The doll will feature intricate details such as Queen Mary’s fringe tiara which Queen Elizabeth wore on her wedding day and the medallions of the orders of the royal family.
