Britain's Queen Mother yesterday celebrated her 99th birthday.
She began her 100th year with a walkabout, followed by a family lunch.
Altogether, 14 senior members of the Royal Family gathered at Clarence House, her London residence, for the celebrations.
Outside, a crowd of up to 5,000 cheered, sang "Happy Birthday" and offered gifts, cards, flowers and balloons.
The Queen Mother watched as a detachment from the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, headed by the Corps of Drums, marched past Clarence House. As the pipes and drums played Happy Birthday to You, well-wishers sang along.
She declined the offer of a chair and insisted on standing with the aid of a walking stick, to receive cards, gifts and balloons from 50 youngsters from the large crowd.
Then, followed by one of her corgis, she went to meet some of her fans.
After walking about 50 metres, she boarded a golf buggy to ride among the well-wishers.
After 55 minutes, she disappeared through the main gates of Clarence House in her chauffeur-driven golf buggy - with balloons tied to the back.
Minutes later, she reappeared at the gates, accompanied by her great-grandsons Prince William (17) and Prince Harry (15) and her grandson, the Prince of Wales.
Together they watched a march past by the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery who had earlier fired a 41-gun salute in nearby Hyde Park. A second salute, of 62 guns, was fired at the Tower of London by the Honourable Artillery Company.
Later, 14 members of the Royal Family joined her for lunch.