Queen celebrates birthday at Newbury races as guns fire in London

On her 91st birthday today, The Queen attended the Newbury Races with Princess Anne, as guns in London fired to celebrate the occasion.

The Queen celebrates her 91st birthday with a visit to Newbury racecourse with Princess Anne. Picture by i-Images

The Queen usually celebrates her birthday quietly, but decided to take to the racecourse near Reading. She was joined by her daughter, The Princess Royal, for the occasion.

Her Majesty looked happy as she enjoyed one of her favourite pastimes, milling amongst the race-goers for the Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials and Beer Festival. She wore a pale pink boucle coat and a hat in the same tone.

She was seen speaking to her racing manager and jockey, wearing the Royal colours: purple, with red sleeves and gold braid. Her horse Maths Prize raced in the Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup EBF Stallions Conditions Stakes, coming in fifth.

Meanwhile, guns were fired in the Royal Parks and at the Tower of London to mark her 91st birthday, and Happy Birthday was sang at Buckingham Palace to mark Elizabeth II’s birth at 2.40am on April 21, 1926. She was born to The Duke and Duchess of York at Bruton Street in Mayfair.

The Honourable Artillery Company fired 62 rounds from the Tower, acknowledging the fortress’ role as an official residence, location in the city of London and the Royal birthday, at 21 rounds each.

41 rounds were heard in Hyde Park, set off by the King’s Troop Royal Artillery, and the Irish Guards Band played Happy Birthday during the Changing of the Guard earlier this morning; Her Majesty is holding Easter Court at Windsor currently, and attended the Easter Sunday Service at St George’s Chapel.

Thank you to the @IrishGuardsBand for celebrating The #QueensBirthday today during Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace today. pic.twitter.com/SP5ej3o0h8

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) April 21, 2017