Queen Elizabeth celebrates 96th birthday, Mattel makes Barbie for Platinum Jubilee – Nationwide

Queen Elizabeth celebrated her 96th birthday at her Sandringham property on Thursday as gun salutes rang out throughout London and Windsor and navy bands performed Completely happy Birthday.

Britain’s longest-serving monarch, who celebrates a historic Platinum Jubilee this yr, was pictured with two white ponies in a photograph launched for the event.

U.Ok. authorities ministers joined members of the royal household in sending their greatest needs to the Queen, who has stepped again from most public duties this yr over considerations about her well being.

She travelled from Windsor Fortress, west of London, to spend her birthday at her property in Sandringham, Norfolk.

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In celebration of the monarch’s birthday, toymaker Mattel launched a commemorative Barbie doll of the Queen.

Wearing an ivory robe with a blue sash adorned with miniature medallions and ribbons, the determine additionally has a tiara based mostly on the one Elizabeth wore on her wedding ceremony day.

The doll will probably be bought in London shops Harrods, Selfridges and Hamleys forward of the official Platinum Jubilee celebrations in early June.

A number of of the Queen’s members of the family and politicians despatched the monarch effectively needs on-line.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who’s visiting India, wished the Queen a contented birthday and paid a “heartfelt tribute” to her “70 years of devoted and faultless service to our nation and the Commonwealth” in a video message.

Elizabeth turned the Queen of Britain and greater than a dozen different realms together with Canada, Australia and New Zealand, on the demise of her father King George VI on Feb. 6, 1952, whereas she was in Kenya on a global tour.

When she ascended the throne, Josef Stalin, Mao Zedong and Harry Truman have been working the Soviet Union, China and america, respectively, whereas Winston Churchill was British prime minister.

— With information from International Information’ Sarah Do Couto