The Queen starts celebrations of her 80th birthday

Queen Elizabeth II starts celebrations of her 80th birthday on Wednesday with a lunch for ninety-nine people exactly her age. The guests, who were all born on April 21, 1926, were invited to the Queen's London home, Buckingham Palace, after being chosen in a ballot. This report from Stephen Evans:

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The celebrations are prompting reflection on Britain's system of constitutional monarchy where real power is wielded by elected politicians but a monarch who inherits the role is formally head of state.

Scandal and publicity have altered the role in recent years, shining an unforgiving light on what was for centuries a mystical, remote position. Despite the changes, there is no obvious appetite in Britain for any other form of government.

Stephen Evans, BBC

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octogenarians
people from 80 to 89 years old ('octo' is Latin for 'eight')

fall
begin, happen (used only for dates)

are prompting reflection
are making people think

wielded
held and exerted (often used with the word 'power')

inherits
receives from her parents when they die

Scandal
general public outrage because of someone's behaviour

altered
changed

shining an unforgiving light on
exposing

mystical
mysterious, spiritually symbolic

appetite
desire, want

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