Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her official 80th birthday on 17 June, and in order to celebrate it Buckingham Palace has planned a number of events, is presented in a press release of the British Embassy in Chisinau. The Queen celebrates two birthdays – Her actual birthday on April 21 and Her official birthday on June 17- in keeping with a tradition that was started by King Edward VII in the early twentieth century. Monarchs whose birthdays fell in the winter months were able to hold parades and other outdoor celebrations in the fine summer months by holding an official birthday celebration. The tradition was re-established by the Queen’s father, King George VI, and is continued to this day. The Royal Collection is holding a number of special exhibitions to mark the Queen's 80th birthday. A collection of photographs illustrating Her Majesty’s life, a selection of her dresses and jewellery and 10 Leonardo da Vinci drawings owned by Queen Elizabeth will go on display at the Royal Collection throughout 2006. The British Ambassador, Mr John Beyer, regards this is a special occasion for British citizens, since the Queen celebrates the 80th birthday this year. “I am glad to say that the Queen continues in a very good health. She has reigned for over 50 years, a record matched by only five British monarchs in Britain’s long history,” said Ambassador Beyer. According to the press release, anyone who wishes to send their birthday greetings to the Queen and wish her a personal “Many happy returns” can do so by leaving a message on the Queen's 80th birthday website http://www.royal.gov.uk/. The Queen was born in London on 21 April 1926, the first child of The Duke and Duchess of York, subsequently King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. Her Majesty's Coronation took place in Westminster Abbey on 2 June 1953. HM is the sovereign of the following states: Australia, Canada, New Zeeland, Jamaica, Barbados, Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the islands Solomon, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize and Saint Kitts and Nevis.