Queen Elizabeth gets her own Barbie for 96th birthday

Queen Elizabeth II has got her own Barbie in honour of her 96th birthday and upcoming Platinum Jubilee, reported The Associated Press.

California-based toymaker Mattel released the doll on the Queen’s birthday on Thursday in commemoration of her 70 years of service, which will be celebrated at the start of June this year.

The monarch’s doll is dressed in ivory complete with a blue sash and a tiara modelled on the classic one that the Queen wore on her wedding to the late Prince Philip.

Elizabeth, who turned 96 on Thursday, ascended the throne on the death of her father King George VI on Feb. 6, 1952. She is the longest-ruling monarch in British history.

The doll will be sold in London stores Harrods, Selfridges and Hamleys ahead of official Platinum Jubilee celebrations in early June.

Queen Elizabeth is marking her birthday privately, retreating to the Sandringham estate in eastern England that has offered the monarch and her late husband, Prince Philip, a refuge from the affairs of state.

While Thursday’s celebrations were low-key, public celebrations will take place June 2-5, when four days of jubilee festivities have been scheduled to coincide with the monarch’s official anniversary.  AP