That's a heck of a birthday candle, ma'am! Queen kicks off evening of celebrations at Windsor Castle by lighting the first of a series of beacons around the country

With the Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Charles stood lovingly by her side, Her Majesty the Queen kicked off her evening birthday celebrations last night by lighting the first of almost 1,270 beacons in her honour. The Prince of Wales planted a loving kiss on his mother's hand as the Royals gathered to light the spark ahead of a private birthday bash in Windsor. As she exited her car, Prince Charles planted a kiss on his mother's left hand - much to the enthusiasm of those in the crowd. He then made a light-hearted but affectionate speech to 'Mummy', before Her Majesty was handed an open flame with which to light the wooden beacon at Windsor Castle's gates. The event followed a day of celebration in the Berkshire town, where the Royals are staying for the landmark birthday. Resplendent in a spring green coat and hat, the Monarch beamed as flag-waving supporters broke into an impromptu rendition of 'Happy Birthday dear Queenie' when she stepped out of her car at the gates of Windsor Castle. Accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Queen spent time meeting dozens of delighted royalists, many of whom had been waiting for hours, before continuing her tour of the town on the open-back top of a custom-built Range Rover. Elsewhere, gun salutes rang out over London while Prime Minister David Cameron led the tributes to the 'rock of our nation' in the House of Commons.