THEY'RE both celebrating their 21st birthdays tonight - but while one serves the Queen, the other just calls her grandma!

Glasses will be raised during a special celebration for soldier Lee Cruickshanks at a family barbecue - at the same time as Prince William celebrates his coming of age with a bash at Windsor Castle.

Lee, of Wolseley Street, Ewood, Blackburn, didn't even get a drink on the actual date of his birthday because he was in Iraq, serving with the 28th squadron of the Royal Engineers.

But he plans to make up for it with celebrations this evening planned by his mother, Julie Holden, who believes turning 21 is a very special thing.

And Lee had a special message for the student prince. He said: "I hope he has a brilliant 21st birthday because he doesn't realise how lucky he is to be around people who love him. His mother would have been as proud as mine is of me."

Lee, who is usually stationed in Paderborn, Germany, has three weeks' leave to spend with his mum, brother Scott, 15, and sister Carole-Ann, 18, after arriving home from Umm Quasr on Thursday.

His German fiancee Mel Krauss is also visiting Blackburn to attend the celebrations.

He said: "My 21st was on May 26, but I didn't even get a drink as I was working. Conditions over there were very basic -- there wasn't even any fresh food until two weeks before I came home.

"I haven't had chance to practise being 21 yet, but I've got three weeks and I'm sure I'll enjoy it."

Julie added: "I was gutted that Lee wasn't here for his 21st because it's such a special day. I spoke to him on the phone but I felt like getting on a plane and bringing him back.

"The celebrations this weekend will be amazing. It's a birthday and welcome home party. I'm so relieved he's here and he's fine."

As Lee is partying in Blackburn, another 21st party will be under way at Windsor Castle - a fancy dress bash with an Out of Africa theme where more than 300 guests are expected. Prince William is to hand a birthday gift to charity to mark the celebrations, as proceeds from commemorative photographs by Mario Testino are given to Newport Action for the Single Homeless and The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution in Wales.

The student prince, who is half way through an MA degree at St Andrew's University, spent time last week touring Wales with Prince Charles, as he is expected to take up the title of Prince of Wales when his dad becomes King.