LONDON Apr 19, 2006 (AP)— Queen Elizabeth II has invited 99 guests to Buckingham Palace Wednesday, and she won't need to ask anyone's age. All share the queen's birth date April 21, 1926. The queen has laid on a three-course meal for 70 women and 29 men who, like her, will celebrate their 80th birthday on Friday.
"It has always been a standing joke in the family that I've never been invited to the queen's birthday party, what with us being born on the same day, never thinking it would actually come true," said Betty Kay of Doncaster in northern England, one of the invited guests.
Prospective banquet guests were nominated by themselves or relatives, and 99 were chosen to represent all parts of the country.
Edna Richards of Wolverhampton said she was a firm supporter of the monarchy, and admired the queen for maintaining a busy schedule.
"I think she is a marvel. I don't know how she does it all. Being the same age I know how she must feel," Richards said.
Amid the excitement surrounding the birthday celebrations, the queen's cousin told the British Broadcasting Corp. that she is "perfectly sure" the monarch will never abdicate the throne.
"It's not like a normal job, it's a job for life," Margaret Rhodes was quoted by the BBC as saying.
Buckingham Palace said Rhodes' remarks reflected the longtime position of the queen and there was no change in her decision to forgo retirement.
"These are the questions that are asked around these big events," said a Buckingham palace spokeswoman speaking on condition of anonymity in line with palace policy. "There is no question of the queen abdicating. She will carry on as normal."
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