The first of the country's main Platinum Jubilee beacons has been lit - sparking a dazzling display across the country to mark the Queen’s historic 70-year rule.
As part of the Platinum Jubilee, the lighting of the beacons is one of the main events of the year to mark the Queen’s historic 70-year rule.
Historically, beacons have been used to communicate between villages and towns, though today they are used as a symbol of unification and peace.
The beacons are set to take to the sky from this evening to Sunday 5 in June.
The beacons in overseas territories and the Commonwealth will be lit at 9.15pm local time, the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors Anchor Chain will be lit at 9.30pm and the Beacons along Hadrian’s Wall will be lit at 10pm.
While the main event will be held in London, but beacons will be lit in all 54 Commonwealth capitals for the first time.
This is across five continents, highlighting the importance of the event.
Locations also include the Channel Islands, Isle of Man, UK Overseas Territories, Australia and more.
The principal beacon is the 69ft tall Tree of Trees sculpture, featuring 350 British-grown trees, which towers over the palace.
Created by British designer Thomas Heatherwick, the living creation reflects the planting of more than a million jubilee trees as part of the Queen's Green Canopy (QGC) initiative to mark 70 years of the monarch's reign, and is illuminated with 3,500 festoon lights.
The Queen earlier made two appearances on the palace balcony.
She joined her cousin the Duke of Kent to take a salute of her soldiers returning from Trooping the Colour, after the Prince of Wales deputised for her on the parade ground.
Then she re-emerged, wearing sunglasses, to watch the six-minute flypast of more than 70 aircraft, including 15 RAF Typhoons in the formation of the number 70.
Dressed in a dusky dove blue Angela Kelly coat which she wore for her official Jubilee portrait, and matching hat, the Queen, who has mobility issues, was holding a walking stick and wearing the Guards' Badge on her coat.
Eighteen royals including the head of state stepped out for the flypast, with Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and
Duchess of Cambridge and their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Louis flanking the monarch.
Earlier in the day cheeky Prince Louis stole the show on the palace's famous frontage as he covered his ears with his hands and let out a howl of excitement as a flypast roared overhead.
The four-year-old stood next to the Queen, known affectionately as "Gan Gan" to the Cambridge children, as she leaned down to talk to her great-grandson, pointing out things of interest
Thousands of well-wishers packed on to The Mall in the June sunshine, erupting in cheers for the nation's longest reigning monarch, with the smiling Queen delighted at the patriotic scenes.
The beacon lighting will bring an end to the first day of jubilee celebrations, where the the Queen beamed as she kicked off her events by joining her family on the Buckingham Palace balcony for Trooping the Colour.
She chatted to her great-grandchildren Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis as she stood alongside Prince Charles, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and other senior royals to watch the RAF flypast.
However, after experiencing "discomfort" she will miss Friday's thanksgiving service at St Paul's Cathedral, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.
The 96-year-old monarch, who has struggled with her mobility in recent months, made the decision "with great reluctance", officials said.
The service is being held on the second day of celebrations to mark her 70 years on the throne.
The Queen was pictured smiling alongside senior royals on the balcony at Buckingham Palace during the Trooping the Colour parade and flypast, but the day took its toll.
A source said that she experienced "episodic mobility issues", forcing her to make the "regrettable but sensible" decision not to attend tomorrow's service.
It is not known if the sovereign will miss any other events celebrating her seven decades as head of state,
A senior palace spokesman said: “The Queen greatly enjoyed today’s Birthday Parade and Flypast but did experience some discomfort.
“Taking into account the journey and activity required to participate in tomorrow’s National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral, Her Majesty with great reluctance has concluded that she will not attend.
“The Queen is looking forward to participating in tonight’s Beacon lighting event at Windsor Castle and would like to thank all those who made today such a memorable occasion.”
