Hundreds of soldiers in scarlet tunics and bearskin hats have marched in London to celebrate the official birthday of Queen Elizabeth II. The 84-year-old monarch wore a matching lilac outfit and hat Saturday as she inspected ranks of soldiers in a military ceremony known as Trooping the Color. Later the royal family was due to watch a fly-past of military aircraft from a balcony at Buckingham Palace. The queen's birthday is celebrated twice a year – privately on April 21, her actual birthday, and again with an official national celebration in June. British monarchs have been publicly celebrating their birthdays in June since the 18th century, in hope of good weather for public events.
