This archive report was first published on 20 April 2020.
On April 20, 2020, Queen Elizabeth II made the unprecedented decision to cancel her 94th birthday celebrations, marking the first time in 68 years that the event has been cancelled.
The decision was made in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected the United Kingdom with over 114,000 cases and at least 15,564 deaths.
Traditionally, the Queen's birthday celebrations in mid-June include a military parade, where she reviews the troops and receives gun salutes. However, this year, the Queen felt it would be inappropriate to celebrate while her country was battling the pandemic.
Instead of the usual pomp and circumstance, the Queen will be staying at home and holding phone and video calls with family members.
As the head of state of the United Kingdom's armed forces, the Queen's birthday celebrations are a significant event, with over 200 horses, 400 musicians, and 1,400 officers participating in the 2019 celebrations.
