Huge crowds converged on central London on Thursday for the start of four days of public events to mark the queen's history-making 70 years on the throne.
Huge crowds converged on central London on Thursday for the start of four days of public events to mark Queen Elizabeth II's historic Platinum Jubilee.
At 96, the queen is celebrating 70 years on the throne — the most of any British royal, including her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria.
On Thursday afternoon, Queen Elizabeth appeared with family members on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the Trooping the Color ceremony, and waved to enormous crowds of well-wishers.
Here are some scenes from the day.
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People pack the Mall as the British Royal family appears on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the Trooping the Color ceremony in London.
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Fighter jets from Britain's Royal Air Force fly in formation to form the number 70 over a Buckingham Palace balcony following the Trooping the Color parade, as part of Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
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The 124 Gun Salute at Tower of London takes place as part of the Queen Elizabeth's Birthday Parade, the Trooping the Color.
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Members of the British Army's Household Division take part in the Trooping the Color parade in London.
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The red arrows fly over the crowd as they wait for the royal family to appear on a Buckingham Palace balcony.
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Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, in his role as Colonel of the Irish Guards, rides his horse along the Mall during the Royal Procession ahead of the Trooping the Color parade.
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Britain's Prince Charles (left), Prince William (center) and Princess Anne (second from right) leave Buckingham Palace on their way to the queen's birthday parade.
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Spectators line the Mall as they wait for the Trooping the Color ceremony.
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The British Army's Household Division Foot Guards march during the queen's birthday parade.
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In Pictures via Getty Images
Unable to access the Mall and the Trooping of the Color ceremonial event that coincided with the queen's Platinum Jubilee, Londoners gather in Trafalgar Square.
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Here's a look at Prince Louis on day one of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
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AFP via Getty Images
Members of Band of the Household Cavalry take part in the Queen's Birthday Parade.
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In Pictures via Getty Images
People celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee at a street party in Colombia Road, Tower Hamlets, in London.
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AFP via Getty Images
A portrait of Queen Elizabeth II hangs in a shop window in Colchester, England.
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The Duke of Gloucester, Duchess of Gloucester, Princess Alexandra, Duke of Kent, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Princess Royal, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth II, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Prince George, Prince William, Countess of Wessex, James Viscount Severn, Lady Louise Windsor, and Prince Edward seen at Buckingham Palace.
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