The Queen's Birthday?
Tuesday April 14, 2009
The Australian Post is issuing a stamp this week in honor of the Queen’s Official Birthday. This is not Queen Elizabeth’s actual birthday, which is April 21st. The Official Birthday is held sometime in June, but it varies from country to country in the Commonwealth of Nations. This second birthday first appeared in the beginning of the 20th Century when Edward VII chose to celebrate his November birthday in the Summer. The stamps depict the Trooping of the Colours in Australia. The Trooping ceremony is now associated with the Official Birthday around the world. It is a very detailed and involved routine involving troops, bands and horse, and in the case of the Scots and Irish units, bagpipers.
This year’s issues include stamps, first day covers, mini-sheets, postal cards and gutter strips. Additional information is available from the Australian Post. Official Birthday stamps would be a great specialty for the British or Commonwealth Nation collector and are a necessity for those focusing on Queen Elizabeth.