Britain prepares to mark queen’s official 90th birthday

A weekend of celebrations begins for Queen Elizabeth II as she officially marks her 90th birthday.

But pair America’s queen of celebrity portrait photography and the British queen – plus, her husband of 68 years, Prince Philip – and you have a boffo combo of fame and success.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, paid tribute to the queen’s “wonderful service” during the sermon.

Almost a million copies of a book celebrating The Queen and her Christian faith, called The Queen and the King she Serves, by Catherine Butcher and Mark Greene have been printed. The monarch’s official birthday is traditionally celebrated in June when Britain’s weather can be more favorable.

He added: ” But just as the Psalmist sees through fear to something more stirring and more extraordinary, so we look back on Your Majesty’s 90 years in the life of our nation with deep wonder and profound gratitude.

The Queen has attended the 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.

Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice at the service.

All together, 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians take part in the Trooping of the Color, forming an impressive display that has occurred on the sovereign’s official birthday since 1748.

What can you learn about longevity from the Queen?

The Queen will then join other members of the Royal Family on the Buckingham Palace balcony for an RAF fly-past.

On Sunday, the queen, Prince Philip, Prince William and Duchess Kate and Prince Harry will join an expected 10,000 representatives of charities and other organizations for the Patron’s Lunch, a picnic on The Mall organized by the queen’s eldest grandson, Peter Phillips. Also present were 53 members of the queen’s extended family.

Acting High Commissioner for Dominica, Janet Charles, revealed Harry told her the Queen should be putting her feet up, but had wanted to attend the service of thanksgiving in St Paul’s Cathedral for the public.

The Archbishop of Canterbury praised the queen’s devotion to service throughout her life, noting the queen had ruled, “Through war and hardship, through turmoil and change during the course of her 90 years”.

Joining the royal birthday couple in the congregation were political leaders including David Cameron, who gave a reading from the New Testament, the Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.

Street parties are planned in many locations, including some in Commonwealth countries and also in the United States.