Thousands of tourists and Londoners waited in warm temperatures on Saturday to watch Queen Elizabeth as she attended the annual Trooping of the Color ceremony this year to mark her official 80th birthday.
Among those taking an active part was the queen’s grandson Prince Harry who is an officer in the Blues and Royals regiment.
The queen's real birthday is April 21, but by tradition the reigning monarch's birthday is celebrated in June, when nicer weather better facilitates parades.
The queen, wearing a purple outfit, and the Duke of Edinburgh rode in a carriage along the Mall to the Horse Guards Parade, followed on horseback by Prince Charles, the Princess Royal and the Duke of Kent.
The ceremony is derived from the tradition of preparations for battle.
In the past the colors, or flags, of the various army units would be paraded along the ranks of soldiers so everyone would know which banner to follow in the chaos of battle.
She celebrated her real birthday at a private dinner with close friends and family.