How old is one ?

The Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth II, invited 99 guests to Buckingham Palace in London on Wednesday, and she didn't need to ask anyone's age.

All shared the Queen's birth date - 21 April 1926.

The Queen laid on a three-course meal in the grand Palace Ballroom for 70 women and 29 men who, like her, will celebrate their 80th birthday on Friday.The main course of filet de boeuf bordelaise being served on a royal silver dinner service normally reserved for state banquets.

The guests were to dine around 20 tables inside the royal home, with some seated next to the Queen or her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh.

They were also be invited to a drink in the palace's Picture Gallery before lunch.

Speaking at the start of their special birthday lunch, the Queen welcomed her "twins," and wished them a happy birthday.

"Thank you for coming today and I hope all of you, and all those of you who are my exact twins, will make the most of our special day on Friday. A happy birthday to all," she said.

She insisted they, her included, should give thanks for their "health," "happiness," the "support they receive from our families and friends," "wonderful memories" and the "excitement that each new day brings."

The banquet guests were nominated by themselves or relatives, and were selected in a ballot earlier in the year.
John Forrester, who had travelled from Australia, was rewarded with a seat next to the Queen at the lunch. He described her as the "most natural person in the world", adding that she would "endear herself to anybody and everybody".

"You look back over your life and say 'when have I bettered it?' Well, when I got married, when I had kids, yes, but beyond that this has to be the top of the tree."

The Queen will spend her 80th birthday at Windsor Castle, where Prince Charles will host a family dinner.