In keeping with a longstanding tradition which goes all the way back to King George II in the mid-18th century, Queen Elizabeth II will celebrate her second ‘official’ Birthday this June, two months after she turned 90 back in April.

As you might expect from England’s capital, London will be playing host to a number of celebrations to mark the occasion, though is there really anywhere better to stay during the Queen’s birthday weekend than right in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea?

Not according to many of our guests, who’ll be arriving at our hotel near Kensington Palace to join in all the festivities this summer. If you’re one of them, we don’t want you to miss a single moment of the pomp and pageantry.

That’s why we’ve put together this in-depth guide to celebrating Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday when staying in the Royal Borough during Her Majesty’s official celebration weekend.

Official Celebrations

After a relatively low-key service at St. Paul’s Cathedral on the evening of June 10th (which also mark’s Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh’s 95th birthday), the two big public celebrations will take place in and around Buckingham Palace, which you can reach from our hotel via Earls Court Station, taking the District Line to St. James’s Park.

Trooping the Colour

On June 11th, we recommend setting off early to get a prime spot among the masses who’ll be gathering on The Mall to watch the Trooping the Colour, where Her Majesty will first inspect the soldiers from her Household Division before being escorted by 1,400 soldiers, almost 500 royal musicians and several hundred horses on a regal parade to and from Buckingham Palace.

The occasion ends with a flight display by the Royal Air Force, which the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Harry, Prince William and his family will all watch from the palace balcony.

Patron’s Lunch

On the Sunday, again take the tube to St. James’s Park to join in the fun of The Patron’s Lunch.

This is an enormous outdoor party at The Mall attended by 10,000 invited guests, who will be treated to performances by street artists and a picnic lunch.

Though most of the publicly-available tickets for this occasion have now sold out, St. James’s Park is expected to be busy with spectators coming to watch the event on the big screen TVs.

Be sure to take your own picnic supplies too, and join in what is sure to be a enjoyable atmosphere.

A Visit to Kensington Palace

Though the Historic Royal Palace won’t be hosting any official events to mark Her Majesty’s official birthday, it’s still set to feature on the to-do list of many guests at our hotel near Kensington and Chelsea this summer.

It’s here where you’ll be able to stand in the very rooms where Queen Victoria spent her childhood, and view dresses worn not only by Queen Elizabeth II but also the late and much beloved Princess Diana in an exhibition dedicated to the fashion of royal woman.

Round out the weekend with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

As part of Hampton Court Palace’s week-long concert festival, the  Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra will be presenting an evening of Fanfare and Fireworks, performing stirring renditions of works by the likes of Tchaikovsky, Mendelssohn, Strauss, Handel and other well-known composers.

A ticketed event which takes place on the evening of July 11th, Fanfare and Fireworks should be the perfect way to end the celebrations on the date of the Queen’s official second birthday.

Gates open at 5.30pm, meaning there’s plenty of time to bring a picnic and relax among Hampton Court Palace’s breathtakingly beautiful grounds before the Orchestra takes to the stage.