St Albans to be lit up on Queen’s 90th birthday

​The Queen’s 90th birthday is to be celebrated in St Albans by the lighting of a giant beacon outside the Alban Arena on Thursday 21st April.

Councillor Salih Gaygusuz, Mayor of St Albans City and District, will set the beacon and pyrotechnic lights ablaze on the balcony of the landmark building. A celebratory cake, plus tea and coffee will be served during the family event which starts at 7.30pm. The event concludes with the lighting of the beacon at 8.30pm and the beacon is one of more than 1,000 that will be set alight on the evening across Britain and other countries.

The Queen will light one at Windsor following a walkabout in the town which boasts one of her Royal residences, Windsor Castle where she will be accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.

In addition, members of the Army cadet force will light beacons on top of the highest mountains in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland: Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis, Mount Snowden and Slieve Donard.

Royal jubilees, coronations and birthdays have long been celebrated by the lighting of beacons and the last such occasion was in 2012 for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

The Queen was born on 21st April 1926 and ascended to the throne on 6 February 1953 immediately after the death of her father, King George VI.

Cllr Gaygusuz said: “I am looking forward to lighting up St Albans to mark the Queen’s birthday. It is great that St Albans is taking part in this huge national event. It will be a spectacular occasion and I hope as many people as possible join us to show their support for our Queen."

“I am sure the centre of St Albans will look magnificent in the light and flames generated by the beacon. It will be well worth seeing.”

(Source: St Albans City and District Council)