Over 10,000 people celebrated Queen Elizabeth’s birthday with a street party on The Mall on Sunday (12.06.16).
Revellers – who were not allowed umbrellas – braved the wet weather conditions to enjoy an open-air picnic as part of The Patron’s Lunch, an event organised by the monarch’s grandson Peter Phillips to recognise her patronage of more than 600 charities and organisations.
Members of the royal family staged a 30-minute walkabout to talk to the guests, while the queen – who actually turned 90 in April but had her official celebrations this weekend – gave a speech.
She said: "To everyone here today and those holding street parties elsewhere I would like to say thank you for the wonderful support and encouragement that you continue to give to me.
"I hope these happy celebrations will remind us of the many benefits that can flow when people come together for a common purpose as families friends or neighbours."
She then joked: "How I will feel if people are still singing Happy Birthday in December remains to be seen."
As they were not allowed umbrellas, organisers gave out ponchos – which were emblazoned with The Patron’s Lunch logo – to the guests, who were largely unconcerned by the damp conditions outside of Buckingham Palace.
Pamela Mayne, 60, said: "We couldn’t get any wetter.
"It feels like I’m in a tent in this poncho. It’s so British. We’re going to enjoy ourselves regardless."
However, her husband Stephen seemed less convinced.
He said: "In the rain, I don’t know. Yes if it had been sunny."
The guests enjoyed meeting and mingling with other charity representatives, and they had plenty of time to do that while waiting for free tea as there were lengthy queues at the tents giving out the warming beverage.
Anne Nutt, a member of the Essex Scout executive, said: "I think today is absolutely marvellous and it’s when the British people show their true colours – the true British spirit.
"People have come out from their warm, dry homes for four or five hours in the pouring rain.
"But it’s been nice to meet people from other charities and the large number of ex-servicemen that are here."
However, she admitted she was delaying tucking into her lunch until the last minute.
She said: "I’m keeping it sealed to the last possible moment, we can all drink tea but soggy sandwiches is pushing it."
Tickets for the event cost £150, with the majority given to organisations or charities that have the queen as patron, and an additional 2,500 sold to the general public.
10,000 attend street party for Queen Elizabeth
