Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II turns 80
[[Image:Queen Elisabeth II.JPG|200px|right|thumb|Queen Elizabeth II]]

{{date|April 21, 2006}}

Today marks the 80th birthday of [[w:Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II|Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II]], whose reign has lasted over 54 years.

Her Majesty became the first female to become the sovereign since [[w:Queen Victoria|Queen Victoria]], who died in 1901 after a 64-year reign.

She was crowned on June 2, 1953, in [[w:Westminster Abbey|Westminster Abbey]]. It was the first coronation that was televised live. She is Queen of sixteen independent nations known as the [[w:Commonwealth Realms|Commonwealth Realms]], which includes the [[w:United Kingdom|United Kingdom]].

One of the most peculiar incidents of her reign was when [[w:Michael Fagan|Michael Fagan]] broke into [[w:Buckingham Palace|Buckingham Palace]] and entered the Queen's bedchamber in the early hours of July 9, 1982.

The [[w:Monarchist League of New Zealand|Monarchist League of New Zealand]], said in a press release: “there is scarcely a single public figure who can compare with The Queen. She is universally admired and respected for her professionalism, dignity and example.”

Despite her age, royal watchers say Her Majesty will never abdicate.  If Her Majesty is reigning on September 9, 2015, she will become the longest reigning monarch in British history.

Cries of “God save the Queen!” have been said across the [[w:Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] today.

==Related stories==
{{wikinews|title=Buckingham Palace releases trivia about Queen Elizabeth II|date=April 11, 2006}}

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[[Category:United Kingdom]]
[[Category:New Zealand]]
[[Category:Europe]]

[[de:Die britische Queen feiert 80. Geburtstag]]
[[zh:万人聚首温莎 庆祝英女王80寿辰]]
Queen Elizabeth II

Today marks the 80th birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, whose reign has lasted over 54 years.

Her Majesty became the first female to become the sovereign since Queen Victoria, who died in 1901 after a 64-year reign.

She was crowned on June 2, 1953, in Westminster Abbey. It was the first coronation that was televised live. She is Queen of sixteen independent nations known as the Commonwealth Realms, which includes the United Kingdom.

One of the most peculiar incidents of her reign was when Michael Fagan broke into Buckingham Palace and entered the Queen's bedchamber in the early hours of July 9, 1982.

The Monarchist League of New Zealand, said in a press release: “there is scarcely a single public figure who can compare with The Queen. She is universally admired and respected for her professionalism, dignity and example.”

Despite her age, royal watchers say Her Majesty will never abdicate.  If Her Majesty is reigning on September 9, 2015, she will become the longest reigning monarch in British history.

Cries of “God save the Queen!” have been said across the Commonwealth today.
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