Queen Elizabeth II begins 3 days of birthday celebrations

A handout portrait photograph released by Buckingham Palace on June 9, 2016 and taken by Annie Leibovitz to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday shows Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II (L) and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (R) pictured at Windsor Castle just after Easter in 2016. / AFP PHOTO / BUCKINGHAM PALACE / Annie Leibovitz /

Royal fans with Union Flags and the Australian flag cheer at the barriers ahead of a service of thanksgiving for the 90th birthday of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II at St Paul’s Cathedral in London on June 10, 2016, which is also the Duke of Edinburgh’s 95th birthday. / AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II (R) and Britain’s Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh arrive arrive to attend a national service of thanksgiving for the 90th birthday of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II at St Paul’s Cathedral in London on June 10, 2016, which is also the Duke of Edinburgh’s 95th birthday. / AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS

Britain’s Queen Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II (CL) and Britain’s Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (CR), Britain’s Prince Charles, Prince of Wales (top CL) and Britain’s Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall (top CR) leave at the end of a national service of thanksgiving for the Queen’s 90th birthday at St Paul’s Cathedral in London on June 10, 2016, which is also the Duke of Edinburgh’s 95th birthday. / AFP PHOTO / POOL / TOBY MELVILLE

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II (L) and Britain’s Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (R) leave at the end of a national service of thanksgiving for the Queen’s 90th birthday at St Paul’s Cathedral in London on June 10, 2016, which is also the Duke of Edinburgh’s 95th birthday. / AFP PHOTO / POOL / Stefan Rousseau

Britain’s Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, (L) and Britain’s Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, (R) leave at the end of a national service of thanksgiving for the 90th birthday of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II at St Paul’s Cathedral in London on June 10, 2016, which is also the Duke of Edinburgh’s 95th birthday. / AFP PHOTO / POOL / Stefan Rousseau

Britain’s Prince Harry (L), Britain’s Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Britain’s Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (R) leave after attending a national service of thanksgiving for the 90th birthday of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II at St Paul’s Cathedral in London on June 10, 2016, which is also the Duke of Edinburgh’s 95th birthday. / AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS

British Prime Minister David Cameron and wife Samantha arrive for a national service of thanksgiving for the 90th birthday of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II at St Paul’s Cathedral in London on June 10, 2016, which is also the Duke of Edinburgh’s 95th birthday. / AFP PHOTO / POOL / Stefan Rousseau

British broadcaster and naturalist David Attenborough speaks during a national service of thanksgiving for the 90th birthday of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II at St Paul’s Cathedral in London on June 10, 2016, which is also the Duke of Edinburgh’s 95th birthday. / AFP PHOTO / POOL / BEN STANSALL

Leader of Britain’s Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn (R) Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow (C) and his wife Sally (L) take their seats for a national service of thanksgiving for the 90th birthday of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II at St Paul’s Cathedral in London on June 10, 2016, which is also the Duke of Edinburgh’s 95th birthday. / AFP PHOTO / POOL / Matt Dunham

A beaming Queen Elizabeth II greeted flag-waving crowds outside St. Paul’s Cathedral Friday despite being delayed by London’s traffic as she made her way to celebrate her official 90th birthday.

The sprightly monarch who still keeps a gruelling calendar of official engagements and events kicked off three days of celebrations with a thanksgiving ceremony at the Baroque-style church.

The queen turned 90 on April 21, but British monarchs also have an official birthday celebration nearer the summer to make the most of the warmer weather in a tradition going back 250 years.

[ad]

Dressed in canary yellow, the queen entered the 340-year-old cathedral to a fanfare sounded by state trumpeters of the Household Calvary, accompanied by husband Prince Philip, who himself celebrated his 95th birthday on Friday.

Senior royals including Prince Charles, Prince Harry, Prince William and his wife Kate were joined in the congregation by Prime Minister David Cameron, opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn — a noted republican — and new London mayor Sadiq Khan.

Veteran naturalist and broadcaster David Attenborough, who was born in the same year as the queen, read “Reflections on the Passing of the Years” by Paddington Bear author Michael Bond.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, paid tribute to the queen’s “wonderful service” during the sermon.

“You have been an instrument of God’s peace, and through you, God has so often turned fear into wonder — and joy,” he said.

There was a moment of drama when a member of the military fainted on the steps outside the cathedral while waiting for the service to arrive.

To mark the queen’s birthday, the royal family released a double portrait taken by celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh who have been married for more than 68 years.

The picture shows the queen in pale pink with Prince Philip wearing a shirt in the same colour.

The three-day celebrations have the theme of public service, with members of the NHS, the police and the fire service represented at the thanksgiving service.

The armed services will be honoured on Saturday — the queen’s actual official birthday — and Sunday will celebrate the work of charities.

The royal couple will host a lunch for visiting governors-general at Buckingham Palace following the service, while the streets of London will be lined with well-wishers on Saturday for the pomp of the Trooping of the Colour ceremony.

Around 10,000 guests are due on the Mall, the road leading to Buckingham Palace, for a street party on Sunday.