If this is Tuesday, it must be England #45

I've been woefully remiss in keeping you all up to speed with the goings-on of the upper crust - time just slips away from me these days.  We missed the Chelsea Flower Show (24-28 May) and the Epsom Derby (3-4 June) but this weekend should make up for all that as it's a bumper celebration.  Saturday is Trooping the Colour, the official celebration of The Queen's birthday (held in June when the weather is nicer, one hopes!) and Sunday brings us the Patron's Lunch.

Over 1400 parading soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians will come together in a great display of military precision, horsemanship, and fanfare to mark The Queen's official birthday. The streets are lined with crowds waving flags as the parade moves from Buckingham Palace and down The Mall to Horse Guard's Parade, alongside members of the Royal Family on horseback and in carriages.  The display closes with an RAF fly-past, watched by members of the Royal Family from the Buckingham Palace balcony.  How I would love to be there!

On Sunday June 12th 2016, The Mall in St James’s Park will be transformed for its largest ever street party to celebrate The Queen’s patronage of over 600 charities and organisations on the occasion of her 90th birthday.  For all the details, check out the Patron's Lunch website here and if your invitation got lost in the mail, I hope you were able to pick up your "at home celebration" hamper before they were all snapped up!  Although not as plush as the hampers at the actual event, Marks & Spencer created a basket full of picnic food made with British ingredients, including a crown-topped pork pie, apple juice and a selection of sandwiches.

If not, may I suggest a loaf of Pepperidge Farm Very Thin bread and a cucumber sliced very thinly, crusts cut off, of course!

Happy Birthday, Your Majesty!  I hope it's a fabulous weekend and I can't wait for next week - the Garter Service and the gem in the Summer Season calendar - Royal Ascot.