April 21

Queen Elizabeth II's Birthday
 

Elizabeth II's birthday is celebrated twice a year — once privately, on her actual birthday, and again with an official national celebration in June, known as the Trooping the Colour. Her long reign has seen sweeping changes, including the dissolution of the British Empire. She is notoriously frugal and saves a few pounds by keeping the heat down at Buckingham Palace. She has tried to present a dignified image, especially in the aftermath of the negative publicity over the divorce of Prince Charles and Diana, and Prince Andrew and the former Sarah Ferguson.

Queen Elizabeth has reminded other royals that they are not film stars, and that their position rests on constitutional principles. By agreeing to pay income taxes, giving up the royal yacht, changing some royal rules, and limiting the number of royals receiving government money, the Queen has sought to placate growing public criticism of the monarchy.Elizabeth has been criticized for being cold, for her chilly attitude toward Princess Diana in general and in particular for her apparent reluctance to interrupt her Scottish vacation and return to London following the death of Diana. This episode of her life was brilliantly portrayed in the 2006 film, The Queen , in which she was brilliantly portrayed by Helen Mirren who won an Academy Award for her performance.

There have been a few gaffes in Elizabeth's meetings with US presidents, When  Elizabeth paid a state visit to the United States and danced with President Ford,  Just as the queen began to dance, the Marine Band struck up "The Lady is a Tramp."

 
Elizabeth has also made headlines with a number of notable firsts:
  • She sent her first email in 1976 from an Army base.
  • She launched Buckingham Palace's first official website in 1997.
  • She introduced a new breed of dog known as the "dorgi" when one of Her Majesty's corgis was mated with a dachshund named Pipkin which belonged to Princess Margaret.

To celebrate the Queen's birthday, we suggest making the classic Queen Elizabeth II Cake that was was allegedly the first cake that Elizabeth baked for Price Phillip during their courtship. Enjoy it with a viewing of  The Queen (2006) in which Helen Mirren gives her Academy Award Best Actress performance as Elizabeth.
 

Queen Elizabeth II Cake

 

Cake Ingredients
 		 Icing Ingredients
 

1 pound dates, pitted and chopped
1 cup boiling water
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup white sugar
1 cup butter
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1&1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup chopped walnuts
 

1 cup brown sugar
4 tspbutter
1 pinch salt
chopped pecans
shredded coconut
4 YB cream




 
Cake Instructions
 
  1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
  2. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch pan.
  3. In a saucepan, combine dates, boiling water and baking soda. Let stand while mixing the batter.
  4. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Beat in the flour, baking powder and chopped walnuts. Stir in the date mixture.
  5. Pour batter into prepared pan.
    Bake in the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool.
Icing Instructions
 
  1. Combine sugar, cream, butter, and salt in saucepan and place over medium heat. Stir constantly until
    mixture begins to boil. Let simmer 1 minute without stirring.
  2. Remove from heat. Place pan in cold water and beat mixture until of good spreading consistency.
  3. Ice cake. Sprinkle top with chopped pecans and coconut.

© 2011 Gordon Nary and Tyler Stokes