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Pomp, Circumstance Mark Queen's Official Birthday

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 15, 2008

There are a lot of perks that come with being queen. Having two birthdays a year is one of them.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II was born in April some 82 years ago, but she celebrated her official birthday Saturday with all the pomp and pageantry her position commands.

She and her husband, Prince Philip, presided over the Trooping the Color ceremony, which drew thousands of well-wishers to the Horse Guards Parade ground near Buckingham Palace.

The often harsh British weather cooperated as if acting under royal command, providing clear, sunny skies.

It was a day steeped in military tradition as the queen inspected troops wearing their trademark red tunics and bearskin hats.

She traveled in an open carriage dating back to 1842 and was followed by other family members, including Prince Charles, on horseback.

B.B. King Honored During Bonnaroo Performance

B.B. King was awarded the key to the city of Manchester, Tenn., on Saturday at the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival.

The blues elder statesman received the honor from Mayor Betty Superstein on the main stage near the top of his set, pausing to accept the plaque and thank Superstein while the crowd roared.

King, 82, got to the stage in a wheelchair, then slowly walked onstage, where he took his perch on a chair with his prized guitar, Lucille.

But the legendary bluesman showed that his fingers haven't showed a bit of aging. As he has throughout his long career, he never hit a wrong note.

Today's Birthdays

Comedian-actor Jim Belushi is 54. Actress Helen Hunt is 45. Actor-rapper Ice Cube is 39. Actor Neil Patrick Harris is 35.

Source: The Associated Press

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