Feeling rather sorry for The Queen

I am sure the whole order of service would have been approved by her

HM not HRH Not

I daresay the Queen had approved the order of service, but it was very tedious - relieved by that wonderful young pianist, and best of all, Sir David Attenborough - he was wonderful!
I did feel a bit sorry for the Queen, tho' - she looked bored out of her crust, and Prince Phillip looked cross and fidgety.

Because some found the service tedious it doesn't follow queenie did , was she bored or deep in thought . feeling pity for her because she had to climb steps, that's patronising, so she isn't nimble but she has legs, she isn't using a walking stick yet, her mother did, so her choice

I was relieved to see they had erected a hand rail. Those steps always look perilous to me.

There was some mention last night about the Queen telling the clergy not to go on too much or go over the top with praise for her (paraphrasing here!). I am not a big fan of the Royal family, but when it comes to all these 90th birthday events, I feel have seen them acting like any other. I like seeing them acting more informally - and most of all, grinning from ear to ear and laughing a lot. More of that please.

Watching Trooping the Colour, the Queen and Philip look great for their age but what were the Queen's dressers thinking of?...she looks like a leprechaun in that shade of green.

well the colour makes her stand out from everyone so she cant be missed...

GillT57 I agree with everything you've said. The organ music was awful. Perhaps it didn't come across well on the radio.

Thank God she isn't stuck on one of the boats on the Thames this time

I thought the colour suited her.

Who was the little boy in the sailor suit standing in front of Camilla on the balcony?

Perhaps he was Camilla's DGS? Would they be there?

Possibly Edward and Sophie's son

No, I think he was on the right in a dark jacket (the one thinking about his tea in the other picture).

I think merlot means the one in this picture:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36505392

I think he is Camilla's grandchild. I'm not sure why he should be "allowed" on the balcony for the Queen's birthday .... he's not her grandson!!

Ana - that was written a bit tongue in cheek but in the 80s I used to read royal biographies - yes, I know, I should have got a life - and Charles and HM were always exchanging letters, or their 'offices' were. Seems a strange way of carrying on. I wonder if they text each other now?

Lillie well, presumably the HM herself allowed it as no-one appears to have thrown him overboard (and he did look very sweet in his sailor outfit).

I used to write to my mum regularly and she wrote to me weekly.
Is that very strange then?
and DH and I always exchanged letters because he was away on the high seas.

We must be very odd. Or perhaps have royal blood.

and I wrote to my aunties and cousins
it gets worse, odder and odder.

I did think he might be Camilla's grandson as they have invited youngsters on to the balcony before if there is a slight connection but she walked off with Charles at the end leaving him standing on his own

perhaps his mum was standing out of picture (musn't include them in with the Royals!)

Can't think who else he could be

If the child was Camilla's grandson I think it right he was there, one day his granny will be queen regent , surely in 2016 we have learned to accept step children etc

Camilla's little grandaughter was on the balcony after William and Kate's wedding. Charles was holding her aloft - maybe getting in a bit of practice.

She was a bridesmaid at that wedding - I think

I think you're right