COMMEMORATIVE ISSUE

HM The Queen 80th Birthday

Issue Date: 21 April 2006











Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born at 21 Bruton Street in Mayfair, London on 21 April 1926. Her father was H.R.H. The Prince Albert, Duke of York (later King George VI) and her mother was H.R.H. The Duchess of York. Princess Elizabeth was named after her mother, while her two middle names are those of her paternal great-grandmother Queen Alexandra and grandmother Queen Mary respectively. At the time of her birth, she was third in the line of succession to the crown, behind her father and her uncle, H.R.H. The Prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII. Although her birth generated public interest, no one could have predicted that she would become Queen.

When her father became King in 1936 upon her uncle King Edward VIII's abdication, she became heiress presumptive and was henceforth known as H.R.H. The Princess Elizabeth. On 6 February 1952 King George VI died and Princess Elizabeth ascended to the title of 'Queen Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.'

Queen Elizabeth is the most widely traveled head of state in history. In 1953-54 she and Prince Philip made a six-month round-the-world tour, becoming the first reigning monarch to circumnavigate the globe.

There are far too many notable events in the life of a monarch who has already reigned for 53 years to detail, but some of the most notable must include, the birth of her children and grand children, Queen Elizabeth giving her first Christmas message when she sat in the same chair and used the same desk as her father King George VI and began with "Each Christmas, at this time my beloved father broadcast a message to his people in all parts of the world. Today I am doing this to you, who are now my people." Presenting the Football World Cup to the successful English team in 1966, the Investiture of her oldest son Charles as Prince of Wales in 1969 and most recently the Golden Jubilee celebrations in London during 2002 with Concorde and the Red Arrows performing their flypast over Buckingham Palace.

The designs of this new stamp issue from the Falkland Islands reflect the gracious and smiling face of Her Majesty as she undertakes, even at the age of 80 years, so many public engagements which are both time consuming and strenuous. Despite the unflagging work that she undertakes, Her Majesty always has time to acknowledge her subjects with interest and a smile of encouragement.

24p The Queen smiling during a royal engagement in London 1/08/2001.

55p Normally The Queen spends the anniversary of her father's death quietly but in 2002, as it was also the 50th anniversary of her accession to the throne, she appeared in public. With her father in mind, who died from cancer, she agreed to visit the Macmillan Cancer Care and Treatment Centre at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital 6/02/2002.

80p Close to her country home, The Queen spent the day before her official Jubilee of 50 years reign visiting the police, when she opened the Norfolk Constabulary Operations and Communications Centre. In a bold hat with an unusual pompon trim The Queen was smiling at well-wishers who had gathered to greet her. 5/02/2002.

£1 The Queen laughing during a visit to Essex University, 25/11/2004.

S/S Left Hand image. The Queen happy and smiling and wearing a bright colourful hat with feathers while continuing her Jubilee tour of the UK, visiting the East End of London 9/05/2002.

Right Hand image. The Queen smiling during a visit to Bournemouth Pier 27/07/2004.

B&W Image. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II during the year of her Coronation, 1953.

FDC Image. The Queen, happy and smiling, was accompanied by Prince Philip as she celebrated her 76th birthday at Windsor Castle by reviewing a parade of Queen's Scouts and Scouts from Commonwealth member countries. She is Patron of the Scout Association. 21/04/02.


Technical details:-
Designer Andrew Robinson
Photographs Tim Graham
B&W Photograph Alpha Photo Press Agency Ltd
Printer BDT International
Process Lithography
Perforation 14 per 2cms
Stamp size 28.45 x 42.58mm
Sheet Layout 50 (2x25)
Souvenir Sheet 64 x 94mm
Release date 21st April 2006
Production Co-ordination Creative Direction (Worldwide) Ltd




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