Queen Elizabeth's 90th birthday celebrated in Charlottetown

Members of Prince Edward Island's Royal Commonwealth Society gathered at the Rodd Charlottetown for a special luncheon on Thursday to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's 90th birthday and for some in attendance, the day brought back memories of June 2, 1953, the day of her coronation.

"I can remember when we first sang [God Save The Queen] for the first time after the King died," said Gillian Garson with a laugh. "I was in a chorus of people, and everybody was singing 'God save our Ki- Ki- Ki...Queen!"

Garson was living in London at the time and watched some of the events.

"It almost seems incredible that this same lady I saw as a young woman [aged] 25, 26. All these years she's been part of our lives whether we like it or not. She's been on the banknotes, she's been on the coins," she said.

Members viewed a painting, done by Holland College student Hanna Matheson, while they ate their lunch. Matheson's work was recently transformed into a birthday card, signed by well-wishers, and sent to Buckingham Palace.

A Commonwealth Day poster designed by Holland College student Nolan Peters was also put on display. 

Dorothy Perkyns said it was a fitting tribute to a woman whose legacy has meant a lot to her. She was also living in London at the time of the coronation.

"I think she's been absolutely remarkable in the job," she said.

"She's never faltered from that very first moment and she's done the job so conscientiously. I think she deserves our great admiration and many thanks."

Perkyns said it was an incredible time to be in England.

"I look back to the time when I was an undergraduate in London, just at the time King George VI died and she became Queen, and of course hearing her proclaimed and seeing her on her Coronation day at Buckingham Palace," she said.

Garson said she has always been impressed with how the Queen has carried out her duties.

"One of the things that always impressed me about her is the discipline she must have to use in her job," she said.

Lieutenant Governor Frank Lewis was also at the birthday luncheon. He took the chance to announce a special event.

He and his wife Dorothy are inviting all Islanders celebrating their 90th birthday this year to attend a special event at Fanningbank on May 24, in honour of the Queen's 90th year.

More details will be made available soon about how people can request an invitation.

An online book of birthday wishes has also been created and Islanders are invited to send along best wishes to the Queen.

It can be found at www.gov.pe.ca/olg.