Trooping the colour: Britain celebrates Queen’s 90th birthday at Buckingham Palace

Thousands of people thronged the streets of the British capital for Saturday’s colorful military ceremony, between the Queen’s London residence, Buckingham Palace and Horse Guards Parade ground, nearby.

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, right, with Prince William holding Prince George, centre, and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge holding Princess Charlotte, left, on the balcony during the Trooping The Colour parade at Buckingham Palace, .

The whole royal family – including young Prince George and Princess Charlotte – joined the nation’s longest-serving monarch on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for a wave to the people and an exhilarating flypast.

Three cheers rang out across The Mall for the Queen after she marked her 90th birthday with the traditional pomp and pageantry of the Trooping the Colour ceremony. The official birthday is timed in hope of fair weather — a custom that began in the 18th century.

The Duchess of Cornwall, the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry were the first members of the family to leave, riding in the Barouche carriage.

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 Queen, along with her husband, Prince Phillip, travel down the Mall from Buckingham Palace escorted by mounted guards.

In celebration of her 90th birthday, GetBucks combed its archives and put together 90 seconds of nostalgic photographs of The Queen as a celebration.

Official celebrations to mark a King or Queen’s birthday in the United Kingdom have often been held on a day that isn’t their actual birthday.

The Colour being paraded on Horse Guards this year was the flag of Number 7 Company Coldstream Guards, the unit last performed this special role in 2007.

Queen Elizabeth 11 marks her 90th birthday today.

Also there was Charlotte’s brother, Prince George, who shielded his eyes as he looked up at the sky.

The Queen’s grandson chatted animatedly to guests at London’s Guildhall at a reception marking her milestone anniversary. The security takes away the soldier from the march.

Two other guards were lifted from Horse Guards Parade on stretchers a fortnight ago during rehearsals for the Queen’s birthday celebrations.