Queen Elizabeth celebrates 82nd birthday

London -- Britain's Queen Elizabeth marked her 82nd birthday Saturday, though her actual birthday is April 21, Buckingham Palace said.

Palace officials said while the queen's birthday is in April, she celebrates the annual event on a Saturday in June to take advantage of the month's traditionally good weather, CNN reported.

The royal matriarch's birthday was honored with a ceremony known as "Trooping the Color," which involves the queen inspecting several military troops before a fly-over by the Royal Air Force.

Meanwhile, The Daily Telegraph said the queen's birthday honors list was unveiled to reveal who will receive a knighthood for their accomplishments.

This year's recipients include TV hosts Des O'Connor and Paul O'Grady, along with comedian Victoria Wood.

O'Grady, who celebrated his own birthday Friday, told the Telegraph he was surprised to receive a Most Excellent Order of the British Empire from the queen.

"I'm the last person, I'd have thought, who would be given an MBE," the 53-year-old said.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.