The Queen
The Queen's 94th Birthday
This year the Queen turns 94!
Every year, the Queen marks her birthday twice: once on her actual date of birth, and then again on an “official”, ceremonial occasion in June.
In normal years, her state birthday is a public celebration, marked by the glitzy spectacle of the Trooping the Colour, a traditional military parade in London.
However, this year the coronavirus lockdown restrictions mean celebrations will be far more low key.
Learn more about the Queen's Birthday below and complete the activities:
Activities
Reading Activity
Read the information text below and answer the comprehension questions in your workbook.
(Click below to download and print the text instead)
Writing Activity
Can you write a letter to The Queen wishing her a Happy Birthday?
Maybe tell her the things you have learnt about her Birthdays!
I'm sure she would also love to hear about what you have been doing at home!
Write the letter in your workbooks or download the template below:
Creative Activities
Design a Birthday cake for the Queen's 94th Birthday.
According to Her Majesty’s former chef Darren McGrady, the “chocoholic” monarch has the same birthday cake every year.
"The Queen only takes a really really small slice and it would take her all week to eat through this cake and there’d still be some left to send down to the servants.” says Darren.
Why don't you design a Birthday Cake for the Queen's 94th Birthday?
Baking Royal Cupcakes
In celebration of the Queen's 94th Birthday, The Queen's very own Royal Pastry Chefs shared the Queen's birthday cupcake recipe for you to try at home!
Why not have a go at making them? They look so delicious!
Royal chocolate cupcake recipe...
Ingredients
- 15g vinegar
- 300ml milk
- 50ml vegetable oil
- 60g butter (melted and cool)
- 2 eggs
- 5ml of vanilla essence
- 250g of self-raising flour
- 75 of cocoa powder
- 300g caster sugar
- 10g bicarbonate of soda
- 100g white chocolate chips
- cupcake cases
For icing
- 90g of high percentage dark chocolate
- 100g butter
- 125g icing sugar
- Option to also use Royal icing, instead of buttercream:
- Royal icing available pre made in shops
- Add food colouring to create different colours
Method
-Preheat the oven to 150 C
-Combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder and bicarbonate of soda into a mixing bowl
-Whisk the eggs in a separate jug, with the vanilla essence, melted butter, oil, milk and vinegar
-Slowly add the wet mixture into the dry mixture, little by little
-Ensure the batter is smooth with no lumps
-Finally add the chocolate chips (alternatives could be nuts, dried fruit)
-Lay the cupcake cases onto a tray
-Use a metal spoon to equally divide the mixture into the cases
-Bake for around 15-18 minutes, take out of the oven when golden and springy on touch
-Leave to cool
For the icing
Buttercream icing method:
-Cream the sugar and butter together, until light and creamy
-Add in the warm melted chocolate
-If you have a piping bag to hand, pipe the icing on the top of cakes for decoration (otherwise gently use a teaspoon or small spatula to ice)
Royal icing method:
-If decorating with royal icing, roll the icing out and cut into circular disks
-Lay the disc over the cupcake and mould to required shape