Queen Elizabeth's 90th birthday celebrations begins

England: In celebration of the Queen's 90th birthday, Britain is to hold a National Service of Thanksgiving in honour of Queen Elizabeth as it kicks off a weekend filled of events to mark the official 90th birthday of the country's longest serving monarch.

There will be a church service on Friday at St Paul's Cathedral, London to be attended by a host of dignitaries including other members of the royal family and Prime Minister David Cameron, and a double celebration for the Queen with Prince Philip, also marking his 95th birthday.

"Most especially today do we give thanks for the length of years that has been granted to our most gracious Sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth: for her faithful devotion, dutiful commitment, loving leadership, gentle constancy, royal dignity and kindly humanity," David Ison, the Dean of St Paul's, will say.

Queen Elizabeth who turned 90 in April Elizabeth has been on the throne for 64 years and is the oldest monarch in British history, but in keeping with tradition to ensure celebrations take place in the (northern) summer, she also has an official birthday usually held in June.

On Saturday, the Queen will attend the traditional Trooping the Colour parade of soldiers in ceremonial uniforms in central London followed by a fly-past of Royal Air Force aircraft over Buckingham Palace.
To end the celebrations, the Queen will hosts The Patrons Lunch for 10,000 guests at the largest street party to be held on the Mall, the grand avenue that leads to Buckingham Palace, an event organised by her grandson, Peter Phillips.
The guests will come from over 600 charities and other organisations of which she is patron. The celebrations will be screened on large screens in the capital's parks.