Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, who celebrated her real 80th birthday in April, marked it again on June 15, the official date set aside to celebrate the monarch's birthday. Here, she leaves St. Paul's Cathedral in London following a Service of Thanksgiving attended by more than 2,300 people, including Prime Minister Tony Blair, military chiefs and multifaith leaders.
A view of the Thanksgiving Service marking the 80th birthday of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, in St. Paul's Cathedral, London, June 15, 2006. The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh attended along with 42 members of the royal family and 2,300 guests including politicians and leaders of faith communities. The Queen's birthday is celebrated officially in June because British weather is better suited for outdoor activities.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II attends a Thanksgiving Service in honor of her 80th birthday at St. Paul's Cathedral in London, June 15, 2006. Among the 2,300 people at the service were Prime Minister Tony Blair and former prime ministers Margaret Thatcher and John Major. From left in the background are her grandsons Prince Harry, Prince William and her son and heir, Prince Charles.
Sophie Rhys-Jones, Countess of Wessex, and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, arrive at St. Paul's Cathedral in London on June 15, 2006. They attended a Service of Thanksgiving to mark the 80th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II. The 2,300 invited guests including 100 members of the general public drawn from a ballot.
Britain's Prince Charles with his sons Prince William, center, and Prince Harry, left, attend a Thanksgiving Service in honor of his mother's 80th birthday at St. Paul's Cathedral in London, June 15, 2006.
Princess Beatrice arrives at St. Paul's Cathedral in london on June 15, 2006, for a Service of Thanksgiving to mark the 80th birthday of her grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.
Queen Elizabeth II is escorted by her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, to a Service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul's Cathedral in London on June 15, 2006, to mark her 80th birthday.
Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, and her husband Rear Admiral Timothy Laurence, arrive at a Service of Thanksgiving held to mark the 80th birthday of her mother, Queen Elizabeth, at St. Paul's Cathedral in London on June 15, 2006.
Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife, Cherie, sit in the audience at a Thanksgiving Service to mark the 80th birthday of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, at St. Paul's Cathedral, London, on June 15, 2006
Prince Harry sits forward during a Thanksgiving Service to mark the 80th birthday of his grandmother, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, in St. Paul's Cathedral, London, on June 15, 2006.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II speaks at a luncheon at Mansion House, hosted by the Lord Mayor and Corporation of London, to mark her 80th birthday, June 15, 2006.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II accepts flowers from royal fan Terry Hutt outside St. Paul's Cathedral, London, after a Service of Thanksgiving in honor of her 80th birthday on June 15, 2006. Behind the Queen is her husband, Prince Philip.
Recording artist Shirley Bassey arrives at a Service of Thanksgiving held at St. Paul's Cathedral in London on June 15, 2006, to mark the 80th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II.
Britain's Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and his wife, Pauline, far left, and Prime Minister Tony Blair, far right, and his wife, Cherie, attend a Thanksgiving Service at St. Paul's Cathedral, London, to mark the 80th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II, June 15, 2006.
Queen Elizabeth II is escorted by the Lord Mayor of London from St. Paul's Cathedral on June 15, 2006, after a Service of Thanksgiving to mark her 80th birthday. The service was followed by a lunch at Mansion House.