Jump directly to the content
Eye in the sky

RAF flyer takes amazing bird’s-eye view pictures showing how the Queen’s birthday fly-past looked from the cockpit

Stunning shots show Red Arrows leaving trails of colourful smoke across the sky

STUNNING aerial photos capture the RAF's Red Arrows blazing a trail across the sky during the Queen's 90th birthday celebrations.

The planes flew over Buckingham Palace on Saturday after thousands had joined the Royal Family to enjoy the annual Trooping the Colour parade.

The Royal Air Force's Red Arrows Aerobatic Team Red Arrows, fly in their iconic "Big Battle" formation over Buckingham Palace during Britain's Queen Elizabeth's Birthday Flypast, London
6
The Red Arrows soared over Buckingham Palace after the Trooping the Colour parade on SaturdayCredit: Reuters
An image taken from the rear seat of Red 8 shows Britain's Queen Elizabeth's Birthday Flypast by the Royal Air Force's Red Arrows Aerobatic Team over Buckingham Palace, London
6
An incredible aerial shot captures one of the RAF planes leaving a trail of red smoke across the skyCredit: Reuters

Battle of Britain-era aircrafts including Spitfires and Hurricanes flew alongside modern fighter jets such as Typhoons in the awe-inspiring display.

The spectacle was completed when the Red Arrows left trails of red, white, and blue smoke across the sky.

Princess Charlotte made her official debut on the balcony and gave her first ever Royal wave, before covering her ears as Typhoons roared overhead.

It was the first time the 13-month-old has been seen in public since she posed for a photo with Queen and all her other grandchildren and great-grandchildren for a birthday portrait.

The Royal Family members lined-up on the balcony on Saturday included Princess Anne, Zara Phillips and husband Mike Tindall, Prince Andrew, and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.

The Queen stood out in a bold lime green coat and matching hat and had been escorted down the Mall in a horse-drawn carriage.

She then watched the Trooping the Colour at Horse Guards Parade.

Her Majesty has attended the parade every single year of her reign, except in 1955 when it was cancelled because of a rail strike.

London, UK. 11th June, 2016. A flypast by the Red Arrows and other planes from the RAF down the Mall - Queens 90th birthday was celebrated by the traditional Trooping the Colour as well as a flotilla on the river Thames. ¿ Guy Bell/Alamy Live News
6
Thousands gathered in the Mall and around Buckingham Palace for the Trooping the Colour on Saturday, with the Red Arrows bringing a stunning end to a breathtaking aerial displayCredit: Alamy
Queen's 90th birthday celebrations
6
The Queen and other members of the Royal Family look delighted as the Red Arrows soar over LondonCredit: PA:Press Association

More than 1,600 soldiers and 300 horses took part in the spectacle as gun salutes were fired across the UK.

Before she reached her 70s she used to ride on horseback during the event, and would wear whichever regiment's Colour, or flag, was being trooped.

This year the 7 Company Coldstream Guards' were having their Colour trooped.

Weeks of planning and practice went into the parade, which included mounted military bands and Guardsmen in traditional bearskin hats and scarlet tunics.

FWRO
6
Princess Charlotte gave her first ever royal wave during the celebrations on SaturdayCredit: Alpha Press
Trooping The Colour 2016 Flypast
6
A bird's-eye view shows how thousands came out to join the Royal Family for the Queen's birthday celebrations on SaturdayCredit: NEWSPIX

Military bands performed music, including an arrangement of Happy Birthday, and executed sophisticated marching manoeuvres.

The Queen then received the royal salute.

In the afternoon the million-pound royal barge Gloriana led a flotilla of roughly 50 boats down the River Thames.

Across the UK street parties took place to make Her Majesty's official birthday.

She celebrates her actual birthday on April 21, and her official birthday on a Saturday in June.

Topics