Trooping the Colour is also known as The Queen’s Birthday Parade. This annual ceremony has marked the official birthday of the Sovereign since 1748. At the end of the proceedings The Queen and the Royal Family appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for a flypast by the Royal Air Force. This photograph, taken in Her Majesty’s 80th year, captures The Queen’s delighted expression as she watches the flypast of 40 planes led by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and culminating with the Red Arrows.

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