Queen Elizabeth II marked her official 90th birthday today by taking salute at a special military parade in London where one-year-old Princess Charlotte proved to be the star attraction.
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The Queen’s Birthday Parade, featuring 1,500 soldiers and 300 horses, was attended by the Queen and the royal family.
Her life is being celebrated this weekend as the nation pays tribute to Britain’s longest reigning and oldest sovereign with formal ceremonies and carnival street parties.
In honor of the Queen’s birthday, Twitter also created a purple crown emoji that pops up when you write #Queenat90 or #HappyBirthdayYourMajesty. The parade route in the heart of ceremonial London was lined with people as far as the eye could see.
The origins of Trooping the Colour lie centuries in the past when the colours, or military flag, of a regiment would be carried or “trooped” down the ranks so the soldiers would recognise it. And then, once again, she will appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony with other royals – including those who represent the institution’s future.
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II waves as she watches the flypast, with Prince Philip, right, Prince William, centre, his son Prince George, front, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge holding Princess Charlotte, centre left, The Prince of Wa… Queen Elizabeth II is celebrating her official 90th birthday with a three-day series of festivities starting Friday, on what is also her husband Prince Philip’s 95th birthday.
“Think of all the rehearsing and the square bashing”.
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.
On Sunday, the Mall in front of the palace will host lunch for roughly 10,000 charity workers, patrons and members of the royal family.
The royal family came together to celebrate the Queen – who’s birthday is actually April 21 – but it was little Charlotte who stole the show.
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“We’ve got to get in over 160 vehicles overnight tonight to be able to put out all the tables and make sure everything’s ready for when the doors open tomorrow morning”.
