Events to mark the official 90th birthday of Britain’s oldest and longest-reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth, continued in London on Saturday, with the traditional Trooping the Colour parade.
Every year this spectacle – full of military pomp and pageantry – marks the official birthday of the Sovereign. The Queen was in fact born in April but June was chosen for formal celebrations as better weather is likely.
The Massed Bands of the Householddiv March and play as one on Her Majesty’s Birthday Parade #Queenat90 BritishArmy pic.twitter.com/JLvk9bC25O— The Army in London (@ArmyInLondon) 11 juin 2016
And the Cavalry! A great roar goes up in The Mall as troops arrive for final stage #QueensBirthdayParade #Queenat90 pic.twitter.com/4pYSyTfBt5— The Army in London (@ArmyInLondon) 11 juin 2016
A high point was the Queen’s appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace with her husband, Prince Philip, a day after he turned 95.
They were treated to a breathtaking fly-past by Britain’s Royal Air Force and joined by other family members including- seen on the balcony for the very first time – little Princess Charlotte – held by her mother Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge.
Princess Charlotte makes her palace balcony debut at the Queen’s birthday parade https://t.co/REMHQWpSjw pic.twitter.com/S1ooLZBnY6— VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) 11 juin 2016
The Queen and The Royal Family on #Queenat90 #HappyBirthdayYourMajesty pic.twitter.com/Qr0rcSX5Xd— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) 11 juin 2016
Charlotte’s big brother George and dad Prince William were also able to enjoy the sky-show ahead of Sunday’s giant street party on the Mall for the Queen – the final event of three days of official birthday celebrations.
The #flypast for #Queenat90 concluded with the spectacular rafredarrows #horseguardsparade Householddiv pic.twitter.com/Pd0o17aokf— The Army in London (@ArmyInLondon) 11 juin 2016
The government has said millions of Britons are expected to join the occasion at local street parties across the country to pay tribute to Elizabeth, who has been on the throne for 64 years.