Four days of festivities to honor the 70-year-old Queen Elizabeth II began on Thursday with a display of British military traditions, with huge crowds cheering the 96-year-old as she appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
In honor of the 70-year reign of this beacon of perseverance at the head of the British state, this four-day extravaganza kicked off Thursday with Trooping of the Color, an annual military review that has celebrated the king's official birthday since 1760.
The 96-year-old queen is Britain 's longest-reigning monarch and the first to accede to the throne, which is seven decades old.
Her Majesty, accompanied by her cousin Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, appeared with her family on the balcony to be greeted by the Troops of Color.
Prominent members of the royal family including Elizabeth's son and heir Prince Charles, eldest son William and his wife Kate arrived at a military parade on horseback or in an open chariot to huge cheers, while world leaders also sent messages of goodwill.
"Thank you to everyone who took part in bringing communities, families and neighbors together to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee in the UK and across the Commonwealth," the Queen said in a statement.
"I am still inspired by the goodwill shown to me, and I hope that the coming days will provide an opportunity to reflect on all that has been achieved over the past seventy years, as we look to the future with confidence and enthusiasm."
'Part of history'
Families and friends huddled in the bright sun on the main roads to Buckingham Palace , cheering regimental marching squads, waving Union flags and wearing paper crowns.
Some royal fans spent the night in tents just to secure a spot outside Buckingham Palace to see the carriages and the Queen take to the balcony for a long-awaited moment, dressed in a light blue suit and hat.
"This will probably be the only time - the Queen will be able to do this," said Paul Fletcher, 55, who works in the National Health Service and has come with his family.
"It's been 70 years since the Queen's throne. It was never known before and I don't think it will happen again."
Her fans wore Union Jack flags, party hats, or plastic tiaras. Some had camped all night hoping for a glimpse of the 96-year-old queen, whose appearances have become a rarity, and a chance to witness Trooping the Color - a military parade that has celebrated every monarch's official birthday since 1760.
"Everyone has the same mission," said Hilary Matthews, 70, who came from Hertfordshire outside London. "All the atrocities that were happening in the world and in England at the moment have been given up for one day, and we can only really enjoy the celebration of the Queen."