Queen to attend huge street party to celebrate her 90th birthday

THE QUEEN will celebrate her 90th birthday by attending a massive street party as thousands of royal revellers prepare to celebrate Her Majesty’s milestone across the UK.

Senior royals and 10,000 people will join the Queen for the Patron’s Lunch on the Mall in London in the last event of the three-day celebration to mark her official birthday. 

The lunch will recognise her patronage of more than 600 organisations in the UK and around the Commonwealth. 

Security is expected to be tight at the event and guests will go through body scanners when the site opens at 10am. Each guest has paid £150 to attend. 

The festivities, organised by the Queen’s grandson Peter Phillips, will include a carnival parade as well as a lavish picnic spread by Marks and Spencer. 

Thousands of rain ponchos have been prepared for the outdoor event in case of rain. 

Ala Lloyd, the creative director of the carnival parade, said the eras of the Queen’s 63-year reign will be symbolised by different sections of the parade. 

Ms Lloyd said: "We've got a lovely Commonwealth theme in the 50s with a giant Royal Yacht Britannia, flower power in the 60s, animals and nature in the 70s and crazy neon business going on in the 80s, and embarrassing shorts.” 

Thousands of smaller street parties are also being held around the UK today to honour the Queen.

According to a Local Government Association (LGA) snapshot poll, more than 1,000 streets will close off their roads to share food and fun for the milestone.

The surgery found 113 street parties are being held in Surrey, while 90 similar events are being held in Kent, 70 in Nottinghamshire and almost 40 in Cheshire.

The LGA, which questioned 100 local authorities, has said thousands of other events are also being planned — with tea parties being hosted for residents also turning 90 this year alongside celebratory picnics, parades and concerts.

Lord Porter, LGA chairman, said: "Councils across the country have been making organising events to celebrate as easy as possible.

"Many have waived road closure fees and others have put money aside to support communities in marking the special occasion.

"It is great to see Britain's street party tradition is still going strong.

"There will be also be thousands of other events in gardens, parks, pubs, village greens, care homes, schools, community centres and town squares held up and down the country.

"Bringing communities together is something councils see as one of their key roles.

"It's fantastic that Her Majesty's official birthday celebration this weekend looks set to see people everywhere coming together to enjoy themselves and mark this historic occasion."

Local authorities have helped fund some of the weekend celebrations with King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council awarding cash grants totalling £3,500 to 22 local organisations.

The money is being used to support street parties, contribute to venue hire costs for events and to pay for live music.

Worcester City Council is hosting a tea party today for people from across Worcestershire who are also turning 90 this year.

A birthday book has opened in the Civic Centre for the public to wish the Queen a Happy Birthday and write a message of congratulations as part of Harlow Council's celebrations.