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Queen's 90th birthday is marked at Trooping the Colour parade Queen's 90th birthday is marked at Trooping the Colour parade
(about 1 hour later)
The Queen's official 90th birthday has been marked at the Trooping the Colour parade in central London. Thousands of people turned out watch the annual Trooping the Colour parade on the Queen's official 90th birthday.
More than 1,600 soldiers and 300 horses took part in the event on Horse Guards Parade. Dressed in a vivid lime green coat and matching hat, the Queen was escorted down the Mall in a horse-drawn carriage to the ceremony at Horse Guards Parade.
The Queen was joined other members of the Royal Family on the Buckingham Palace balcony for an RAF fly-past. After the parade of more than 1,600 soldiers and 300 horses, she appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace with members of her family, including Princess Charlotte, for an RAF flypast.
A flotilla of historic boats took part in a procession on the River Thames and royal gun salutes were fired in several cities across the UK. Gun salutes were fired across the UK.
Dressed in a bright lime green coat and matching hat with cerise-coloured flowers, the Queen waved to crowds as she left Buckingham Palace in a horse-drawn carriage, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh. In the afternoon, the royal barge Gloriana led a flotilla of about 50 boats in a pageant down the River Thames, carrying figures including five-time Olympic gold rower Sir Steve Redgrave.
Her Majesty has attended the annual event - also known as the Queen's birthday parade - every year of her reign, except in 1955 when a national rail strike led to the event being cancelled. Visible in her vibrant ensemble, the Queen smiled and waved to crowds as she was driven with the Duke of Edinburgh in an open-top carriage up the flag-lined Mall.
Buckingham Palace said her "vibrant" green coat and dress was by designer Stewart Parvin, while her hat was designed by Rachel Trevor. She has attended the annual event - also known as the Queen's birthday parade - every year of her reign, except in 1955 when it was cancelled due to a rail strike.
Prince Harry, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge travelled together in another carriage in the parade down the Mall. The Duchesses of Cornwall and Cambridge, both dressed in white, travelled together in another carriage with Prince Harry.
The Duke of York and his daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, followed in another carriage. The Duke of York and his daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, in characteristically striking headwear, followed behind.
The Prince of Wales, who is Colonel of the Welsh Guards, the Princess Royal, Colonel of the Blues and Royals, and the Duke of Cambridge, Colonel of the Irish Guards, rode on horseback. The Prince of Wales, who is Colonel of the Welsh Guards, the Princess Royal, Colonel of the Blues and Royals, and the Duke of Cambridge, Colonel of the Irish Guards, rode on horseback in their ceremonial uniforms.
Thousands of people lined the Mall to watch the colourful spectacle, which included mounted military bands and others wearing traditional bearskin hats. The Queen herself rode on horseback in the parade until she was in her 70s, riding side-saddle and wearing the uniform of the regiment whose Colour - or flag - was being trooped.
Weeks of preparation go into the tightly choreographed event. This year the Colour - or flag - trooped belonged to 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards. This year the Colour being trooped belonged to 7 Company Coldstream Guards.
The Massed Bands of the Household Division and the Mounted Band of the Household Cavalry played as the procession drew into Horse Guards Parade - Henry VIII's former jousting yard.
Queen's eye view: See the Trooping the Colour in 360 degreesQueen's eye view: See the Trooping the Colour in 360 degrees
In pictures: The Queen's official 90th celebrationsIn pictures: The Queen's official 90th celebrations
What can you learn about longevity from the Queen?What can you learn about longevity from the Queen?
Spectators in the packed stands rose to their feet as a mark of respect as the Queen's carriage drew into the parade ground - Henry VIII's former jousting yard.
Among them were Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha, as well as many families of the servicemen and women taking part.
Weeks of preparation go into the tightly choreographed spectacle, which includes mounted military bands and Guardsmen wearing traditional bearskin hats and scarlet tunics.
The massed bands of the foot guards performed music, including an arrangement of Happy Birthday, and an intricate display of marching manoeuvres before the Queen received the royal salute.
The Royal Family then gathered on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch an RAF flypast of aircraft including two Spitfires, four helicopters and the Red Arrows.The Royal Family then gathered on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch an RAF flypast of aircraft including two Spitfires, four helicopters and the Red Arrows.
Princess Charlotte, who joined her family on the balcony for the first time, covered her ears as two Tornados flew overhead.Princess Charlotte, who joined her family on the balcony for the first time, covered her ears as two Tornados flew overhead.
Crowds gathered in front of the palace gave three cheers as the ceremony came to an end. The gathered crowds gave three cheers as the ceremony came to an end.
Later in the afternoon, the million-pound royal barge Gloriana was rowed down the Thames by crew of both able-bodied and adaptive rowers with disabilities.
It led a flotilla that included boats from every decade the Queen has been monarch.
Oars were raised on Gloriana as Tower Bridge was opened for the event.
Street partiesStreet parties
Throughout the weekend a number of street parties will be taking place around the UK in honour of the Queen's official birthday.Throughout the weekend a number of street parties will be taking place around the UK in honour of the Queen's official birthday.
She celebrates two birthdays every year - her actual birthday on 21 April, and her official birthday held on a Saturday in June - in a tradition going back 250 years to try to ensure better weather for the monarch's official celebrations.She celebrates two birthdays every year - her actual birthday on 21 April, and her official birthday held on a Saturday in June - in a tradition going back 250 years to try to ensure better weather for the monarch's official celebrations.
On Friday a national service of thanksgiving was held at St Paul's Cathedral paying tribute to the Queen's "faithful devotion" to the country.On Friday a national service of thanksgiving was held at St Paul's Cathedral paying tribute to the Queen's "faithful devotion" to the country.
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said the Queen had reigned through "war and hardship, turmoil and change".Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said the Queen had reigned through "war and hardship, turmoil and change".
'A symbolic affair''A symbolic affair'
By Peter Hunt, BBC Royal correspondentBy Peter Hunt, BBC Royal correspondent
Trooping the Colour is a military ceremony that dates back to the 18th Century. This was an un-missable monarch - wearing, as she was, a vibrant, lime green coat - at an annual occasion she's never missed - an occasion where the dominant colour is usually the scarlet of the ceremonial soldiers' tunics.
The then-Princess Elizabeth first watched aged eight, from a balcony, when her grandfather George V was king. The guardsmen performing for their colonel in chief on the parade ground were fighting soldiers.
As Queen she's taken part every year of her reign - and until the 80s rode on horseback - apart from in 1955 when it was cancelled because of a national rail strike. Centuries ago, the colour or flag was a rallying point on the battlefield.
Today it's a symbolic affair. Centuries ago, the colour or flag was a rallying point in battle, clearly visible above the smoke. It's now a symbolic affair. Today, it was held in honour of the Queen who inspected her troops - as Queen Victoria did once, and as all monarchs have done since the time of Edward VII.
On a smoke-free Horse Guards Parade the Queen will once again take part. And then, once again, she will appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony with other royals - including those who represent the institution's future. The annual pageant ended with the fly past and the Queen and other royals appearing on the balcony.
The 90-year-old monarch has a busy few days ahead. Prince Harry has suggested the best present for his grandmother would be a day off so she could put her feet up, lie about and do nothing. Dedicated royal watchers will have been delighted by the sight of Princess Charlotte and an animated Prince George.
With Prince Charles and Prince William also there, this was the British monarchy, its present and its future on display.
Read more from PeterRead more from Peter
Also on Friday, a host of celebrities and figures from public life were recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours list. Also on Friday, a host of celebrities and figures from public life were recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours list, including singer Rod Stewart and British astronaut Tim Peake.
Singer Rod Stewart received a knighthood while British astronaut Tim Peake becomes a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George for services to space research and scientific education. On Sunday, the Mall will play host to a street party for some 10,000 people, bringing the three-day celebration to a close.
The final event of the three-day celebration will see the Queen host a street party for some 10,000 people on Sunday.
The Patron's Lunch will be a celebration of her patronage of more than 600 organisations in the UK and around the Commonwealth.The Patron's Lunch will be a celebration of her patronage of more than 600 organisations in the UK and around the Commonwealth.
The Mall, in St James's Park, will be lined with picnic tables for the street party, during which guests will enjoy a hamper-style lunch.
The Queen spent her real 90th birthday on 21 April at Windsor Castle, where she lit the first of a chain of more than 900 beacons across the UK and overseas.
Find out more about Queen Elizabeth II on BBC iWonderFind out more about Queen Elizabeth II on BBC iWonder
Share your message for the troops during Trooping the Colour using #BBCQueen90 or #Queenat90 on Twitter. Are you attending a street party? If so, please share photos with us.Share your message for the troops during Trooping the Colour using #BBCQueen90 or #Queenat90 on Twitter. Are you attending a street party? If so, please share photos with us.
Or you can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences.Or you can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences.
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