20 Lavish Birthday Traditions The Royal Family Have Made Their Own

Birthdays. We all have them, but you might well imagine that the British royal family does something a little different from the rest of us. So just how do those princes and princesses mark the day they were born? Read on to find out what Kate does especially for her kids, and why the Queen enjoys not one but two birthdays!

20. They have birthday portraits

Whilst they might not quite be the richest, the British royal family are without doubt the most famous clan in the whole of the United Kingdom. And they like to mark birthdays and special occasions properly and according to tradition. One such way in which they do this is with official portraits.

Special memories

Yep, on every landmark birthday, Clarence House – the royal residence next to St. James’s Palace in London – will release a new portrait of a member of the British royal family. Like in July 2018 when a new portrait of five-year-old Prince George was sent to the media. Apparently the arty Duchess of Cambridge has snapped a few of those birthday portraits of her children, too.

19. Westminster’s bells ring out

Westminster Abbey is a world-famous cathedral in London with more than a thousand years of history behind it. Although the World Heritage site offers daily services to the general public, it is primarily known for being a royal church. Indeed, it was here that Princess Diana’s funeral took place in 1997, and her son William married Kate Middleton in 2011.

Westminster bells

But Westminster Abbey also plays an important role on royal birthdays. Yes, when it is the date of birth for any of the senior members of the British royal family, the bells ring out in their honor. Just like they did for Queen Elizabeth II’s landmark 90th birthday back in 2016.