Happy 85th Birthday, Queen Elizabeth II!

Queen Elizabeth II turns 85 today, and for her birthday she was allowed to reject Prince William?s request to marry Catherine Middleton.

Just kidding.

The Queen gave her formal consent for the second-in-line to marry commoner Middleton today on an official document displayed at the House Of Lords.� (Now we?re going to get fancy with our wording) Under the Great Seal of the Real, Queen Elizabeth signed the Instrument of Consent, proclaiming, ?Our Most Dearly Beloved Grandson Prince William Arthur Philip Louis of Wales, K.G., and Our Trusty and Well-Beloved Catherine Elizabeth Middleton.?

PHOTOS: Prince William Sports A Beard

Check out more scoop on the royal family after the jump.

Her Majesty and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh attended the Royal Maundy Day Service at Westminster Abbey, the same location her grandson will marry Middleton in eight days.� The Queen wore a jaunty blue hat to ring in year 85, and was not without her trusty purse.� The ever-present purse is said to carry good-luck charms from her children, personal photographs and treats for her corgis.

Take a spin through our gallery to check out photos of Queen Elizabeth II through the years, complete with a few recognizable members of the royal family.� We also have some photos of the Instrument of Consent.

Her Majesty has ruled almost sixty years, having to ascend the throne in 1952 when her father, King George VI passed away.� She was only 25 at the time.

Monika Kramlik Roselyn Sanchez Bridget Moynahan Vinessa Shaw Paige Butcher