Britain's Queen Elizabeth celebrated her birthday with a credit crunch-friendly meal. The monarch - who turned 83 on Tuesday - shunned her usual lavish Buckingham Palace party in favor of an informal dinner at her son Prince Edward's house to show her subjects she understands the ongoing financial hardship the country is suffering.

A source told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "The queen was determined to keep this very low key by royal standards. There were just 18 in total and several didn't even drink."

"The queen has also made it clear she does not want to go over the top celebrating her official birthday in June. While the traditional Trooping of the Colors will go ahead, Her Majesty wants to keep things very simple. She knows how important it is to avoid upsetting people at a difficult time like this."

The queen, her husband Prince Philip, and their guests tucked into a dinner of chicken breast stuffed with red peppers and creme brulee at Bagshot Park, Surrey on her special day.

This is not the first time the monarch has curbed her lifestyle due to the ongoing financial crisis.

Last year, she banned members of the royal family from flaunting their wealth during the recession, including telling the younger royals - including Princes William and Harry - to stop going to nightclubs.

She has also cut back on her own spending by growing her own fruit and flowers at her Scottish estate Balmoral, and by recycling items from her wardrobe during state visits.

During an official trip to Slovenia and Slovakia last October, she wore an evening gown made from material she received as a present 20 years before.

Last Christmas, the queen decorated her tree with $11.50 decorations in an effort to save money, and had her presents made in China to avoid high costs.