Royals watch flypast from Buckingham Palace

STORY: Elizabeth, wearing a dusky dove blue outfit, was joined by her son and heir Prince Charles, 73, and other senior royals.

As the Queen smiled and pointed at the sky, the flying formation created the number 70 in the sky and the Red Arrows flew over London colouring the skies in red, white and blue.

At one point, Prince Louis covered his ears as the flying formation was passing by.

A beaming Queen Elizabeth waved to cheering crowds massed outside Buckingham Palace as Britain kicked off four days of pomp, parties and parades to celebrate her record-breaking 70 years on the British throne.

Millions of people across Britain and the world were expected to join street parties, watch the festivities and light beacons in honour of the 96-year-old queen.