A few days before, he presided over the nation’s Royal Plowing Ceremony, in which sacred oxen forecast the year’s crops. (It is predicted to be a good year for corn, beans and rice.)

Back in Europe, Queen Máxima of the Netherlands celebrates a birthday on Wednesday.

And arguably the biggest royal birthday comes next month, when Queen Elizabeth II of Britain celebrates her 91st. She is the world’s oldest — and longest-serving — monarch. Although she was born April 21, her birthday is officially celebrated in June each year.

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