The Queen has two birthdays - her actual birthday on April 21st and her official birthday, which is celebrated on the second Saturday of June. Traditionally, British sovereigns have held official celebrations on dates other than their actual birthday, especially if their birthday fell in winter. For example, King Edward VII's official birthday was celebrated in May or June despite his actual birthday being in November. On the Queen's official birthday, the Trooping the Colour parade is held in London, which involves marching soldiers, bands, and a flag procession watched by thousands. The Queen typically spends her actual birthday privately while public celebrations include gun salutes in London parks and at the Tower of London.

2. 
 The Queen is the only person in Britain with two
birthdays. Her actual birthday on 21 April and her
official birthday on second Saturday in June.
actual – фактический, реальный
second - второй

3. 
 Official celebrations to mark Sovereigns' birthday
have often been held on a day other than the actual
birthday, particularly when the actual birthday has
not been in the summer.
sovereign – монах
particularly – особенно

4. 
 King Edward VII, for example, was born on 9
November, but his official birthday was marked
throughout his reign in May or June when there was
a greater likelihood of good weather for the
Birthday.
great (greater/the greatest) – высокий,
великий
likelihood - вероятность
weather - погода
born – рождённый, рождён
mark – здесь: отмечать
throughout - повсюду
reign – господство, величие

5. 
 And on the Queen's official birthday, there is a
traditional ceremony called the Trooping of the
Colour. It's a big parade with brass bands and
hundreds of soldiers at Horse Guards' Parade in
London.
trooping – собираться толпой
brass - духовые инструменты

6. 
 A "regiment" of the Queen's soldiers, the Guards,
march in front of her. At the front of the parade is the
regiments flag or "colour". The Guards are trooping
the colour.
regiment – полк
march - маршировать, марш
in front of - перед

7. 
 Thousands of Londoners and visitors watch in Horse
Guards' Parade. And millions of people at home
watch it on television.
visitor – посетитель

8. 
 The Queen usually spends her actual birthday
privately, but the occasion is marked publicly by gun
salutes in central London at midday: a 41 gun salute
in Hyde Park, a 21 gun salute in Windsor Great Park
and a 62 gun salute at the Tower of London.
gun – ружьё, оружие
midday - полдень
tower - башня
spend – проводить, тратить
privately – частным образом, негласно
occasion – случай, возможность, повод,
причина

9. 
 In 2006, Her Majesty celebrated her 80th with a
walkabout in the streets outside of Windsor Castle to
meet well-wishers.
Her Majesty – Её Величество
walkabout - прогулка высокого лица с целью неофициального
общения с народом, пешая прогулка
outside – за пределами, снаружи
castle – замок, дворец