Queen Elizabeth II's
subjects serenaded her with impromptu renditions of "Happy Birthday,"
on Sunday, as the monarch slowly drove past some 10,000 people attending
a massive street fair in her honor.
The drive past in the "Queen mobile" was the highlight of the party on The Mall, the road leading to Buckingham Palace. The picnic is the grand finale of a weekend of official events marking the monarch's 90th birthday and celebrated some 600 charities to which she lends her patronage.
This being Britain, it rained. But those picnic baskets came out regardless.
The partygoers put on ponchos included with admission — umbrellas were banned — and just got on with having a good time while waiting for her to emerge from the palace.
She didn't disappoint them. Speaking from the heart, she unexpectedly came to the microphone to thank them for their support and encouragement. She closed with a bit of wit.
"How I will feel if people are still singing Happy Birthday in December remains to be seen," she quipped.
Before the queen's arrival, members of the royal family strolled along the edge of the crowds. Prince William, his wife Kate, and Prince Harry shook hands, patted the tops of children's heads and found themselves framed in countless selfies.
Despite the general good cheer, the non-profit event has not been without controversy. Tickets cost 150 pounds ($214) each — a figure criticized by many as being too expensive.
Charities were asked to pay for the passes themselves, but were allowed to raise money with 40 percent of their tickets.
For the price of entry, the participants feasted on Scottish salmon, Northern Ireland roast beef, pork pies, cheese — little bits of the United Kingdom on a plate.
But there were no tents, and it was a sodden day.
"It's wonderful," said Eric Armstrong with a trace of sarcasm. He came from Christchurch, England, with his wife — only to huddle under a tree to stay dry.
"We're English aren't we?" he said. "That what we do."
There was a thundering "Hip-Hip-Hooray" for her at the end. And for just a moment, that famous stoicism slipped a bit.
She inclined her head, smiled and waved a white gloved hand.
(AP)
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II rides in a carriage along the Mall during
the Trooping The Colour parade at Buckingham Palace, in London,
Saturday, June 11, 2016. Hundreds of soldiers in ceremonial dress have
marched in London in the annual Trooping the Colour parade to mark the
official birthday of Queen Elizabeth II. The Trooping the Colour
tradition originates from preparations for battle, when flags were
carried or "trooped" down the rank for soldiers to see.
Soldiers marching along The Mall in central London, as Britain's Queen
Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh leave Buckingham Palace to view
the Trooping the Colour ceremony at Horse Guards Parade as the Queen
celebrates her official birthday, Saturday June 11, 2016. Hundreds of
soldiers in ceremonial dress marched in London Saturday in the annual
Trooping the Colour parade to mark the official birthday of Queen
Elizabeth II. The Trooping the Colour tradition originates from
preparations for battle, when flags were carried or "trooped" down the
rank for soldiers to see.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh leave Buckingham
Palace in central London to view the Trooping the Colour ceremony at
Horse Guards Parade as the Queen celebrates her official birthday,
Saturday June 11, 2016. Hundreds of soldiers in ceremonial dress marched
in London Saturday in the annual Trooping the Colour parade to mark the
official birthday of Queen Elizabeth II. The Trooping the Colour
tradition originates from preparations for battle, when flags were
carried or "trooped" down the rank for soldiers to see.
Queen Elizabeth II arrives at the Patron's Lunch in The Mall, central
London in honour of the her 90th birthday, in an open topped Range
Rover. Sunday June 12, 2016. The Queen's grandson Peter Phillips has
masterminded the street party for 10,000 people, to mark the monarch's
patronage of more than 600 charities and organisations.
Queen Elizabeth II looks out from the window at Buckingham Palace,
central London, ahead of the Patron's Lunch in honour of the Queen's
90th birthday, Sunday June 12, 2016. The Queen's grandson Peter Phillips
has masterminded the street party for 10,000 people, Sunday, to mark
the monarch's patronage of more than 600 charities and organisations.
Revellers in The Mall, central London, for the Patron's Lunch in honour
of the Queen's 90th birthday. Sunday June 12, 2016. The Queen's grandson
Peter Phillips has masterminded the street party for 10,000 people, to
mark the monarch's patronage of more than 600 charities and
organisations.
Looking out from the window at Buckingham Palace in central London, left
to right, Princess Beatrice, the Duke of York and Princess Eugenie ,
ahead of the Patron's Lunch in honour of the Queen's 90th birthday in
The Mall. Sunday June 12, 2016. The Queen's grandson Peter Phillips has
masterminded the street party for 10,000 people, to mark the monarch's
patronage of more than 600 charities and organisations.
Princess Beatrice, left, and Autumn Phillips look out from the window at
Buckingham Palace, central London, ahead of the Patron's Lunch in
honour of the Queen's 90th birthday in The Mall. Sunday June 12, 2016.
The Queen's grandson Peter Phillips has masterminded the street party
for 10,000 people, to mark the monarch's patronage of more than 600
charities and organisations.
Members of the Queen's Guard are seen ahead of "The Patron's Lunch"
celebrations for The Queen's 90th birthday at The Mall in London,
England on June 12, 2016. The street party for 10,000 people, Sunday, is
to mark the monarch's patronage of more than 600 charities and
organisations.
Horse Guards are seen ahead of "The Patron's Lunch" celebrations for The
Queen's 90th birthday at The Mall in London, England on June 12, 2016.
The street party for 10,000 people, Sunday, is to mark the monarch's
patronage of more than 600 charities and organisations.
Margaret Tiler and David Jones from Wembley, London are seen ahead of
"The Patron's Lunch" celebrations for The Queen's 90th birthday at The
Mall in London, England on June 12, 2016. The street party for 10,000
people, Sunday, is to mark the monarch's patronage of more than 600
charities and organisations.
Model Olivia Inge in The Mall, central London, for the Patron's Lunch in
honour of the Queen's 90th birthday, Sunday June 12, 2016. The Queen's
grandson Peter Phillips has masterminded the street party for 10,000
people, to mark the monarch's patronage of more than 600 charities and
organisations.
Early arrivers sit with their specially prepared picnic hampers, in The
Mall, central London, ahead for the Patron's Lunch in honour of the
Queen's 90th birthday, Sunday June 12, 2016. The Queen's grandson Peter
Phillips has masterminded the street party for 10,000 people, Sunday, to
mark the monarch's patronage of more than 600 charities and
organisations.
A member of the public arrives at "The Patron's Lunch" celebrations for
The Queen's 90th birthday at The Mall in London, England on June 12,
2016. The street party for 10,000 people, Sunday, is to mark the
monarch's patronage of more than 600 charities and organisations.
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh arrive at the Patron's
Lunch in The Mall, central London in honour of the her 90th birthday, in
an open topped Range Rover, Sunday June 12, 2016. The Queen's grandson
Peter Phillips has masterminded the street party for 10,000 people, to
mark the monarch's patronage of more than 600 charities and
organisations.
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh arrive at the Patron's
Lunch in The Mall, central London in honour of the her 90th birthday, in
an open topped Range Rover, Sunday June 12, 2016. The Queen's grandson
Peter Phillips has masterminded the street party for 10,000 people, to
mark the monarch's patronage of more than 600 charities and
organisations.
Royalist revellers, left to right, Kathy Martin, John Loughrey, Terry
Hutt, and Theresa Iredale sit in St James's Park, London and watch the
Patrons Lunch on big TV screens, as members of the Royal family walk
down The Mall. Sunday June 12, 2016. The Queen's grandson Peter Phillips
has masterminded the street party for 10,000 people, to mark the
monarch's patronage of more than 600 charities and organisations.
The Duke of Edinburgh arrives at the Patron's Lunch in The Mall, central
London in honour of the her 90th birthday, in an open topped Range
Rover. Sunday June 12, 2016. The Queen's grandson Peter Phillips has
masterminded the street party for 10,000 people, to mark the monarch's
patronage of more than 600 charities and organisations.
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh arrive at the Patron's
Lunch in The Mall, central London in honour of the her 90th birthday, in
an open topped Range Rover, Sunday June 12, 2016. The Queen's grandson
Peter Phillips has masterminded the street party for 10,000 people, to
mark the monarch's patronage of more than 600 charities and
organisations.
Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge smiles with Prince Philip in the Royal
Box for the Patron's Lunch in honour of the Queen's 90th birthday in The
Mall, central London, Sunday, June 12, 2016.
