21/04/2006

Queen celebrates 80th birthday

The Queen began celebrations for her 80th birthday on Friday with an informal walkabout in Windsor.

The band of the Irish Guards played 'Happy Birthday' as the Queen emerged from Windsor Castle's Henry VIII Gate at noon to be greeted by cheers from thousands of well-wishers.

An estimated 20,000 people had gathered to share in the monarch's celebration and the Queen, dressed in a pink coat and hat, walked around the town for around 45 minutes, accompanied by Prince Philip.

The Queen accepted gifts, flowers and cards from well-wishers during the walkabout.

Buckingham Palace confirmed that the Queen had received 20,000 cards and 17,000 emails sending birthday greetings.

Earlier, The Queen thanked all those who had set birthday greetings. She said: "I would like to thank the many thousands of people from this country and overseas who have sent me cards and messages on my 80th birthday.

"I have been very touched by what you have written and would like to express my gratitude to you all for making this day such a special one for me."

The Queen also received a china tea-set from Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Cabinet, made by the famous Spode pottery firm in Staffordshire.

The sailors on-board the HMS Illustrious also took time to wish the Queen happy birthday. Around 500 crew on-board the Royal Navy aircraft carrier, who are in the Red Sea on their way to the Indian Ocean for a four month deployment, spelt out out 'Happy 80th' on the 200m flight deck.

The Queen will spend Friday evening at a special birthday dinner at Kew Palace, hosted by Prince Charles.

Prince Charles will also deliver a birthday tribute to this mother on BBC Radio 4 on Friday at 5pm.

(KMcA/GB)

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