Queen Elizabeth II was born in London in 1926 and celebrates her birthday twice a year. As the constitutional monarch of the United Kingdom, she is the head of state but does not govern - her duties include representing the nation, serving as head of the armed forces and Church of England, and performing government duties. Some royal traditions include the Trooping of the Colour, Changing of the Guard, Maundy Money, Swan Upping, the Queen's Telegram, opening of Parliament, and the Queen's Christmas speech.