Queen Elizabeth II and her family marked her official 90th birthday with a parade, a colourful military ceremony and an appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony.
The queen and her husband, Prince Philip, joined the Trooping the Colour parade, traveling by vintage carriage. Other senior royals also travelled by carriage along the parade route.
Large crowds marked her milestone and enjoyed the procession, featuring more than 1,500 soldiers and officers and several hundred horses.
Later, the royal couple led the family onto the palace balcony to wave to the throngs as Royal Air Force jets and some vintage World War II planes flew overhead.
As expected, 1-year-old Princess Charlotte made her first balcony appearance with her parents, Prince William and his wife Kate.
The festivities continue Sunday with a massive street party in front of the palace. The palace has invited roughly 10,000 people who work at charities supported by the queen to the open air festivities.
Street parties will also be held in many towns and cities throughout Britain and in other Commonwealth countries.
The queen's real birthday is in April. The official birthday is timed in hope of fair weather — a custom that began in the 18th century.