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1The queen arrives for the ceremony.
WPA Pool//Getty ImagesQueen Elizabeth has been spending lockdown at Windsor Castle with Prince Philip. In May, The Sunday Times reported that the queen "will remain at Windsor Castle indefinitely," and that it could be some time before the monarch returns to her official duties amid the coronavirus pandemic.
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2The queen is accompanied to the viewing platform.
UK Press Pool//Getty ImagesPer Hello!, Queen Elizabeth wore "a muted jade outfit by Stewart Parvin" for the occasion. The publication also noted that Her Majesty wore her Welsh Guards brooch for the ceremony, and a floral dress.
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3Queen Elizabeth looks happy and healthy.
Pool/Samir Hussein//Getty ImagesThe monarch looked delighted as she arrived at the birthday ceremony. Despite the cancelation of this year's Trooping the Colour, Queen Elizabeth seemed to enjoy watching a special parade by the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards.
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4The queen inspects members of The Welsh Guards.
Pool/Samir Hussein//Getty ImagesQueen Elizabeth wore a stunning coat by Stewart Parvin for her birthday celebration. She accessorized the look with a matching hat by Rachel Trevor-Morgan, per Hello!.
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5Queen Elizabeth smiles during the parade.
WPA Pool//Getty ImagesThe monarch's first appearance since lockdown began was a joyous occasion.
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6The queen surveys Windsor Castle and The Welsh Guards.
WPA Pool//Getty ImagesHer Majesty watched the proceedings from a podium outside of her Windsor residence.
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7The military drills looked spectacular.
Pool/Samir Hussein//Getty ImagesThe 1st Battalion Welsh Guards carried out a special ceremony in honor of the queen's official birthday in 2020.
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8Windsor Castle was a grand setting.
Pool/Samir Hussein//Getty ImagesDespite the cancelation of one of the royal family's most prestigious annual events, Windsor Castle was the perfect setting for the queen's small birthday celebration.
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9The queen practiced social distancing.
Pool/Samir Hussein//Getty ImagesQueen Elizabeth sat on a podium to watch the military drills, and The Welsh Guards remained socially distanced from one another.
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10Queen Elizabeth watches the ceremony.
WPA Pool//Getty ImagesThe queen's actual birthday is on 21 April, but it has become tradition that the British monarch has a second birthday every year, which takes place on the second Saturday of June.
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11A member of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards takes part in the celebration.
WPA Pool//Getty ImagesThe Welsh Guards carried out an incredible display in spite of social distancing measures.
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12The queen looked overjoyed as the celebration came to an end.
UK Press Pool//Getty ImagesIt seemed as though Queen Elizabeth was incredibly happy with the special ceremony held in her honor at Windsor Castle in place of Trooping the Colour.
Amy Mackelden is a freelance writer, editor, and disability activist. Her bylines include Harper's BAZAAR, Nicki Swift, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, ELLE, The Independent, Bustle, Healthline, and HelloGiggles. She co-edited The Emma Press Anthology of Illness, and previously spent all of her money on Kylie Cosmetics.
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