Britain's Queen Elizabeth II was marking her 81st birthday in private on Saturday - a far cry from last year's public celebrations in front of cheering, flag-waving crowds. The queen, on the throne since 1952, was to spend the day in private at Windsor Castle, west of London - the royal residence she considers home - and enjoy a private dinner with her husband Prince Philip, 85.
For her 80th birthday, the monarch had been greeted by large crowds in Windsor, a national service of thanksgiving was held and her eldest son and heir, Prince Charles, hosted a lavish dinner at Kew Palace, attended by all the senior royals.
The sovereign shows few signs of wanting to slow down. Though her hectic schedule has been scaled back, she still approaches her duties with her customary enthusiasm.
Commentators say she is conscious of her vow to serve as queen for life and would never consider relinquishing her role. Along with her husband Prince Philip, the queen is set to pay a two-day visit to Virginia on May 3 and 4 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown Settlement. The visit to the United States, which will run to May 8, will be her first in 16 years.
The queen, as head of the Commonwealth, will also attend the bi-annual Commonwealth heads of government meeting in the Ugandan capital Kampala in November. Charles, 58, will also attend for the first time. On the queen's birthday, the Union Flag is flown on all government buildings from 8:00 am (0700 GMT) until sunset and royal gun salutes are fired in her honour.