One of New Zealand’s favourite holidays is now set for a name change.
Aotearoa’s royal public holiday is held on the first Monday of June. For more 69 years it has been known as Queen’s Birthday.
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) confirmed on Friday that the timing of the holiday weekend in June, will remain the same.
However, it will be known as King’s Birthday weekend.
Queen’s Birthday Weekend has been celebrated each year in New Zealand on the first Monday in June, even though Queen Elizabeth’s birthday was on 21 April.
This is because it is traditional for British monarchs who are not born in summer to celebrate twice, with a second official birthday. Once on their actual date of birth, and then later in the British summer with a grand parade.
The tradition was started by George II in 1748. With a November birthday being too cold for a celebratory parade, he tied his celebrations in with the annual Trooping the Colour military parade.
4 Responses
This is very interesting
I am sad that the queen died I am unhappy that they are changing the name for queens birthday weekend it should be a memory of her
I agree with both of you
thank god we still get a holiday