This one's for you, Lilibet

For Elizabeth
Originally uploaded by foodchronicles.

Yesterday was the Lady in blue's birthday. She turned 80. Lilibet, as she was known to close family and firends became queen in 1953 after the death of her father. She was 26 years old. Her life has been spent in the public eye since.

Happy Birthday HRH Queen Elizabeth II.

The palace has put together a pretty neat webpage in celebration of the Queen's 80th birthday. Elizabeth's 80th has a ton of pictures and facts regarding her reign. I learned something interesting about her on my first visit there. She visited South Africa in 1947 as Princess Elizabeth. She did not return until 1995, after apartheid was abolished.

It's a great site and lots to see and learn. You can even send her a birthday postcard if you wish.