RAF marks Queen Elizabeth's 63rd birthday with flypast

A Red Arrows fly past by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and a Trooping The Colour ceremony marked the official birthday celebrations of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II on Saturday.

Saturday's even was the first time the Queen, 89, was seen at her birthday celebrations with her heir (Prince Charles) and heirs apparent (Prince William and 23-month-old Prince George).

According to the BBC, more than 1,000 soldiers took part in the traditional display of army drill, music and horsemanship.

Earlier, The Queen, and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, travelled by carriage from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade where the parade took place. She was joined by other senior royals in inspecting the 1,100 soldiers of the Household Division at Horse Guards Parade.

They included Prince Charles, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.

It was the 63rd time the Queen has attended a birthday parade, a record unmatched by any monarch.

The Trooping the Colour has its origins in traditional preparations for battle. In the 18th Century, guards from the royal palaces assembled daily on Horse Guards to "troop the colours", and in 1748 it was announced that the parade would also mark the sovereign's official birthday. 

The Queen's actual birthday was on 21 April, when she turned 89. The Duke of Edinburgh celebrated his 94th birthday on Wednesday.