At least 20,000 people lined the streets of Windsor to wish the Queen a happy 80th birthday.
A triumphant burst of Happy Birthday greeted the Queen as she walked out of Windsor Castle.
Cheers erupted from the crowd of 20,000 as the Queen moved down Castle Hill, starting off her landmark birthday with a traditional royal walkabout.
Thousands lined the streets waving flags and clutching flowers for the monarch.
The gates of the castle swung open at midday as the Queen emerged wearing a fuchsia coat and feathered hat accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh dressed in a beige overcoat.
She was greeted by the Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, Philip Wroughton and Mrs Catriona Wroughton before being introduced to representatives of youth organisations.
As the Queen chatted with members of St John Ambulance, the Duke spoke briefly to schoolchildren.
After chatting to representatives of each group in turn, a beaming Queen walked along the lines of schoolchildren receiving birthday cards and a posy of hyacinths.
The Queen then made her way to greet the waiting public amassed behind crowd barriers.
Criss-crossing from one side of the road to the other and back again, she sported a continual smile as she collected bouquet after bouquet and scores of cards.
During the 40-minute stroll she worked the crowds as they erupted into renditions of Happy Birthday.
One of the bystanders, Paul Ratcliffe, from Leeds, Yorkshire, asked: "What's the secret to your amazing stamina?''
The Queen laughed and said: "I don't know.''
Mr Ratcliffe, 34, gave her a card with a huge 80 badge on it, but added: "I said I didn't expect her to wear it tonight, it was just a bit of fun.''
The Queen collected a host of presents including jigsaw puzzles, All-Gold chocolates and even a small china corgi.
Harminder Bans, 41, from Windsor, gave her a Union Jack baseball cap which the Queen promptly waved towards the Duke of Edinburgh, seeming to suggest it would be one he could wear.
A burgundy Bentley waited for the birthday Queen just past the Guildhall where the Prince of Wales married the Duchess of Cornwall last year.
But the Queen went on past, continuing her walkabout down to the very end of the High Street to the delight of those waiting to see her.
A specially dedicated team of 20 young members of the Army, Navy and RAF took charge of the flowers and gifts.
As the Queen collected them, she swiftly passed them back to her lady-in-waiting, who handed them on.
There were shouts of "Hip hip hurray'' and "Three cheers for the Queen'' as she walked round the route.
Youngsters from St Edward's School in Windsor chanted "Two four six eight, who do we appreciate?'' before shouting "The Queen''.
At one stage, Prince Philip, wearing a khaki mac, spotted a huge birthday cake and called his wife over to see it.
He took the knife and the Queen cut the cake, which was big enough to make 300 portions.
Reverent Mary Barnes, the vicar at St John the Baptist Church on the High Street, said afterwards: "She just asked who made it. Prince Philip gave her the knife and said 'You can cut it'. She seemed pleased.''
It was decorated with a gold crown and exactly 80 lit candles.
Queen Elizabeth II carries flowers and a card given to her outside Windsor Castle on her 80th birthday at the start of a walkabout through the town.
© PA
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The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh outside Windsor Castle shortly after leaving the castle.
© PA
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Thousands had gathered outside Windsor Castle in the hope of meeting the Queen - and many were not disappointed.
© Reuters
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Smiling with delight, the Queen clutches one of the many gifts presented to her by the waiting crowds.
© PA
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Crowds of people bearing flowers and cards wait for a glimpse of the Queen.
© Pic: Jenny Goodall
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The Queen pauses before greeting more well-wishers.
© PA
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Initial police estimates put the crowds at between 1,500 and 2,000 by 11am.
© PA
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The Queen talks to representatives of some of the country's best known youth organisations outside Windsor Castle as she continues her walkabout.
© PA
-----------
She smiles as she receives more bouquets from the flag-waving crowds.
© PA
------------
Wellwishers waved balloons as the monarch walked by.
© PA
------------
Prince Philip accompanied the Queen as she greeted members of the crowds.
© Reuters
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The Queen examines a toy bear she was given by a member of the public.
© Reuters
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dailymail.co.uk
A triumphant burst of Happy Birthday greeted the Queen as she walked out of Windsor Castle.
Cheers erupted from the crowd of 20,000 as the Queen moved down Castle Hill, starting off her landmark birthday with a traditional royal walkabout.
Thousands lined the streets waving flags and clutching flowers for the monarch.
The gates of the castle swung open at midday as the Queen emerged wearing a fuchsia coat and feathered hat accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh dressed in a beige overcoat.
She was greeted by the Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, Philip Wroughton and Mrs Catriona Wroughton before being introduced to representatives of youth organisations.
As the Queen chatted with members of St John Ambulance, the Duke spoke briefly to schoolchildren.
After chatting to representatives of each group in turn, a beaming Queen walked along the lines of schoolchildren receiving birthday cards and a posy of hyacinths.
The Queen then made her way to greet the waiting public amassed behind crowd barriers.
Criss-crossing from one side of the road to the other and back again, she sported a continual smile as she collected bouquet after bouquet and scores of cards.
During the 40-minute stroll she worked the crowds as they erupted into renditions of Happy Birthday.
One of the bystanders, Paul Ratcliffe, from Leeds, Yorkshire, asked: "What's the secret to your amazing stamina?''
The Queen laughed and said: "I don't know.''
Mr Ratcliffe, 34, gave her a card with a huge 80 badge on it, but added: "I said I didn't expect her to wear it tonight, it was just a bit of fun.''
The Queen collected a host of presents including jigsaw puzzles, All-Gold chocolates and even a small china corgi.
Harminder Bans, 41, from Windsor, gave her a Union Jack baseball cap which the Queen promptly waved towards the Duke of Edinburgh, seeming to suggest it would be one he could wear.
A burgundy Bentley waited for the birthday Queen just past the Guildhall where the Prince of Wales married the Duchess of Cornwall last year.
But the Queen went on past, continuing her walkabout down to the very end of the High Street to the delight of those waiting to see her.
A specially dedicated team of 20 young members of the Army, Navy and RAF took charge of the flowers and gifts.
As the Queen collected them, she swiftly passed them back to her lady-in-waiting, who handed them on.
There were shouts of "Hip hip hurray'' and "Three cheers for the Queen'' as she walked round the route.
Youngsters from St Edward's School in Windsor chanted "Two four six eight, who do we appreciate?'' before shouting "The Queen''.
At one stage, Prince Philip, wearing a khaki mac, spotted a huge birthday cake and called his wife over to see it.
He took the knife and the Queen cut the cake, which was big enough to make 300 portions.
Reverent Mary Barnes, the vicar at St John the Baptist Church on the High Street, said afterwards: "She just asked who made it. Prince Philip gave her the knife and said 'You can cut it'. She seemed pleased.''
It was decorated with a gold crown and exactly 80 lit candles.
Queen Elizabeth II carries flowers and a card given to her outside Windsor Castle on her 80th birthday at the start of a walkabout through the town.
© PA
--------
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh outside Windsor Castle shortly after leaving the castle.
© PA
-------
Thousands had gathered outside Windsor Castle in the hope of meeting the Queen - and many were not disappointed.
© Reuters
--------
Smiling with delight, the Queen clutches one of the many gifts presented to her by the waiting crowds.
© PA
------
Crowds of people bearing flowers and cards wait for a glimpse of the Queen.
© Pic: Jenny Goodall
--------
The Queen pauses before greeting more well-wishers.
© PA
--------
Initial police estimates put the crowds at between 1,500 and 2,000 by 11am.
© PA
--------
The Queen talks to representatives of some of the country's best known youth organisations outside Windsor Castle as she continues her walkabout.
© PA
-----------
She smiles as she receives more bouquets from the flag-waving crowds.
© PA
------------
Wellwishers waved balloons as the monarch walked by.
© PA
------------
Prince Philip accompanied the Queen as she greeted members of the crowds.
© Reuters
------------
The Queen examines a toy bear she was given by a member of the public.
© Reuters
http://channels.aolsvc.co.uk/news/a...75709990001&n=rotator&p=Gold&c=welcome_screen
dailymail.co.uk