| Tens of thousands of royal supporters lined the streets of London on Thursday to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee and kick off four days of pomp, parties and parades to mark her record-breaking 70 years on the British throne.
In brilliant sunshine, families and friends gathered on the main grand roads running up to Buckingham Palace, cheering the regimental marching bands, waving Union flags and wearing paper crowns. Many had slept on the streets to secure a good position.
Others descended on nearby parks to enjoy picnics and follow the proceedings on big screens.
At least two people briefly caused a disturbance by running out in front of marching soldiers on the Mall boulevard before they were dragged away by police. Police said a number of arrests had been made for public order offences.
The arrival of the first senior royals at the Horse Guards Parade in a carriage - Kate, the wife of Prince William, her three young children and Camilla, the wife of heir to the throne Prince Charles - were met with loud cheers.
The queen, a keen horsewoman, has previously taken the salute in person at Horseguards Parade, the site a short ride down The Mall where king Henry VIII once jousted.
But her 73-year-old son and heir Prince Charles stepped in this year, in the latest public sign of his future role as king.
Joining him at the parade of the colour or regimental flag of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards was his sister Princess Anne, 71, and his eldest son, Prince William, 39, both in ceremonial uniform.
Click 'read more' to see the queen waving from the Buckingham Palace balcony. | 