Her Majesty the Queen celebrates her 90th birthday on April 21st. She will become the first occupant of the throne to reach this age, both George III and Queen Victoria died when they were 81. Research from Ipsos Mori and King's College London have revealed that Queen's popularity has reached its peak now, and most of the country believes that she should continue as the head of the state, with just one in five wanting her to abdicate. In the 80s more than half of Britons believed that she should stand down. But now, after three decades of royal marriages and births, coupled with the Diamond Jubilee, have propelled the monarchy firmly back into the nation's affections. The Queen became the first British monarch to visit Ireland in 100 years. While a lifetime of adroit silences, pursed lips and conversations shuffled sideways remains the price of Monarchial popularity, the Queen enjoyed thoroughly when the British film Director Danny Boyle was allowed to 'send' her parachuting into the Olympic Stadium in 2012, and more when she insisted on playing herself in a James Bond spoof alongside Daniel Craig. The Age of Elizabeth has been turbulent and full of challenges. She ascended the throne when she was just 25, and had to struggle with Winston Churchill's obstinate determination to stay in the office longer than he should, Anthony Eden's lethal deceit during the Suez crisis, which split the Royal household, sister Margaret's troubled and at times tragic love life, Irish, Australian and Canadian republicanism, humiliating Ugandan, Rhodesian and South African crisis and many more. There have been struggles and arguments over money, her children's marriages blown apart, grandchildren dressed up Nazis, sensationalist books on Duke of Edinburgh - the reign has been far from being easy and popular. Yet she brought comfort in times of tragedy- whether it's the Dunblane Massacre, the Aberfan mining disaster or the Bradford city fire. She toured the world offering a new kind of leadership to the multicultural Commonwealth. The Queen has listened to 276 speeches, gave 102 of then and heard 508 renditions of the national anthem. She has adviced Prime Ministers, permitted cameras to her home and went on walkabouts- providing a personality suiting the challenges of her era.Critiques say that because we don't really know her, she has managed to stay so popular. Her popularity is now blandly accepted but that wasn't the case in 1992- her 'annus horribilis' when the Sunday Times serialised Andrew Morton's searing biography of Diana, Princess of Wales. It also did not seem that way in 1997, when after Lady Diana's death, this monarchial country seemed mutinous. In fact the Queen's reign has been much more difficult than it seems today. However by some grace, the times have changed in recent past. The Duchess of Cambridge has brought in an air of glamour into the monarchy. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's visit to India and Bhutan now reflects the rise of a new generation that will build on the Queen's legacy- proving that the modern royalty is so popular and approachable- thanks to Her Majesty's most important job and greatest role as a successful mother, grand mother and great grandmother. William and Kate create 'new memories'Prince William's visit to the Taj Mahal was bound to be nostalgic and tinged with memories after this monument of love provided the stunning backdrop to one of the most iconic pictures of his late mother, Lady Diana. While we can remember a forlorn figure of Princess Diana sitting on the same marble bench- a mournful image of Diana's failed marriage to Prince Charles 24 years ago, Kate and William's picture with knees touching emphasises that their marriage is full of love and intimacy. They provided what aides called ‘new memories’ to replace the sad image of a princess sitting alone as her marriage was collapsing.Some of the national press have speculated that visiting the heritage monument on Saturday and posing on the same marble bench as his mother appeared to have left the Duke feeling emotional. He was allegedly spotted seen wiping the corner of his right eye as he and the Duchess left the landmark which is believed to be a symbol of eternal love. As they came out William was asked: 'What has today's visit meant to you?' to which he replied 'It's a beautiful place, stunning designs in there.'Kate added: 'It's been really incredible to learn about the romance of the building and really beautiful architecture.'Kate described the Taj Mahal as the 'perfect' place to come just before her fifth wedding anniversary (April 29th).The Duchess is also reported to have become 'emotional' during the visit after hearing stories of the landmark's past.Their tour guide, Rizwan Mohammed, said that the story behind the Taj Mahal had touched the royal.He said: '[She got] quite emotional when she came to know that the queen died at a very young age.'She said, "She really deserves this kind of building as they were madly in love with each other," The prince was laughing.'The Duchess who have as usual marveled people with her impeccable dressing sense and more importantly spirit- wore a white and blue dress by Indian designer Naeem Khan and a Rs 500 (£5) earring she bought from a craft stall in Bhutan. She had also flaunted a dress by another Indian designer Anita Dongre to play cricket in India.The Duke and Duchess have created history by hiking up steep mountains for 3 hours to reach a Buddhist Monastry in Bhutan called the Tiger's Nest. While the Duke went red faced, puffing with exhaustion, the Duchess looked fresh as a daisy, as if she had done nothing more taxing than a stroll in a garden, while her aides were struggling up drenched with sweat. It has been reported that the Prince of Wales, who visited the same spot, had only made to the halfway point, therefore, Prince William seem chuffed at his own achievement and said 'My father did not make it to the top. So that's something I'll be reminding him of when I see him...”They admitted that they were missing the children George and Charlotte, and were looking forward to meeting them. The Duke and Duchess returned home on Sunday 17th.Celebrations on Queen's birthdayThere will be celebrations around both her actual birthday and her official birthday on June 11. The souvenir industry has not missed the opportunity to mar the milestone. The Royal Mint has a coin with a face value of £5 that costs £7500 in gold or £20 in silver. The Royal Collection Trust has produced a jug, tankard, tin of mints, tea towel and music box that plays God save the Queen. Royal Crown Derby is producing trays, plates, cups and trinket box. Potter Emma Bridgewater has produced mugs and M&S a tin of shortbread. Her Majesty will have 3 days of low-key events in Windsor ahead of more elaborate festivities in London in May and on her official birthday in June. US President Barack Obama and wife Michelle will be travelling to the UK to dine with the Queen on this Friday. Britain being proudly diverse- the Great British Bake Off's Nadiya Hussain will be baking an Orange drizzle cake with orange curd and orange butter cream for Queen's birthday lunch on Thursday at Windsor's Guildhall. The following day the Queen will unveil a plaque marking the start of a four mile Queen's Walkway at the foot of the Castle Hill in Windsor, then the Duke of Edinburgh and the Queen will go on a walkabout. In London Prime Minister David Cameron will lead MPs in paying a day of tribute, presenting a 'humble address' in the Commons ahead of a special debate. A 41 gun salute will take place in Hyde Park and a 62 gun salute at the Tower of London. In the evening the Queen along with the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles and Duchess of Cornwall will light the first in a chain of 1000 beacons across the country, and worldwide that will celebrate Her Majesty's 90th birthday. In May from 12-15, the Queen's 90th birthday celebration will take place at Home Park, Windsor, featuring 900 horses, Katherine Jenkins, Ant and Dec. In June, on 10th there will be services of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral, followed by Queen's official birthday celebrations on June 11th- Trooping the Colour. On 12th, there will be Street party in the Mall.
