BRITAIN: Queen Elizabeth rounded off a day of 80th birthday celebrations last night at a family dinner party at Kew Palace hosted by Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall.
The intimate dinner by candlelight for 26 members of the royal family came after a day of events around the UK, the traditional 21- gun salutes and a royal walkabout which drew an estimated 20,000 people to Windsor to mark what the queen acknowledged had been a "special" day.
With her own thoughts already turning to her 60th wedding anniversary next year and a diamond jubilee in 2012, the queen had asked for a low-key 80th birthday, which meant for many this was largely a television event.
However, the nature of the media coverage - coupled with the enthusiasm of the crowds in Windsor - reflected the affection in which Elizabeth is held.
The widespread hope that she will "long" reign was reflected by Prince Charles last night in a special broadcast tribute to his "darling Mama".
Countess Mountbatten had led earlier birthday tributes to the queen, saying she had promised to do her best by her country and kept her word, adding: "She regards the job as a job for life."
This reflected the assurance earlier this week from the queen's cousin, Margaret Rhodes, that she would never abdicate.
Countess Mountbatten, who is the Prince of Wales's godmother, said Charles would do "outstandingly well" when he eventually succeeded his mother.
Despite some public speculation about an emotional gulf between the prince of Wales and his parents, in a poignant passage in his broadcast the prince said:
"There is no doubt that the world in which my mother grew up . . . has changed beyond all recognition. But during all those years she has shown the most remarkable steadfastness and fortitude, always remaining a figure of reassuring calm and dependability - an example to so many of service, duty and devotion in a world of sometimes bewildering change and disorientation."
He concluded: "For very nearly 60 of those 80 years she has been my darling Mama and my sentiments today are those of a proud and loving son who hopes you will join with me in wishing the queen the happiest of birthdays, together with the fervent prayer that there will be countless memorable returns of the day."
The menu at last night's Kew Palace dinner was:
Timbale of organic Hebridean smoked salmon, Morecambe Bay brown shrimp mayonnaise and fine herbs, with caper, lemon and parsley dressing.
Juniper-roast loin of Sandringham estate venison with a port wine sauce, served with steamed young cabbage and spring vegetables.
Birthday chocolate sponge cake coated with a dark chocolate ganache and filled with a Highgrove fruit filling, served with a Highgrove red berry compote.
Wines: Red: Le Fleur Petrus (Pomerol) - 1995 ; White: Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru - 1994; Pudding wine: Chateau d'Yquem - 1982
The speaker of the Commons, Michael Martin, will host a private dinner at Westminster on Tuesday for family and MP colleagues to mark the recent 80th birthday of DUP leader the Rev Ian Paisley.