Communities come together to celebrate Queen's 90th birthday

Her Royal Highness became the first living British monarch to reach the age of 90 on April 21.

But in a tradition dating back to 1748, she celebrates a second birthday - her official one - this Saturday, the second Saturday in June.

Each year, the monarch’s official birthday is marked with a parade, the Trooping of the Colour, through central London.

Holding the parade in the summer means there is less chance of rain and more chance of warmer British weather for the occasion.

This year, a traditional service of thanksgiving, the annual birthday parade and a mass street party for 10,000 people will all celebrate the milestone birthday of Britain’s longest reigning sovereign.

An extension of pub opening hours on Friday and Saturday evening has also been arranged to help create a party atmosphere.

Today, politicians, religious leaders and guests will gather at St Paul’s Cathedral for a service celebrating the nonagenarian.

Saturday will see the traditional Trooping the Colour parade and carriage procession.

The Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh and other royals, will watch the Birthday Parade on Horse Guards Parade at which The Queen’s Colour of Number 7 Company Coldstream Guards will be trooped.

Afterwards, the royals will join a carriage procession back to Buckingham Palace. Royal fans will be hoping to catch a glimpse of Princess Charlotte if she makes her first appearance on the balcony for the annual RAF flypast.

Gun salutes will then be fired and the Royal Family will assembly on the Palace Balcony for a fly past by the Royal Air Force.

The Queen’s Birthday Honours List is also announced and the Union flag is flown from government buildings.

The celebrations will finish on Sunday, with The Patron’s Lunch, a giant street party on The Mall.

Around 10,000 revellers - the majority representatives from the Queen’s patronages - will sit down to a hamper-style lunch along the London thoroughfare which leads up to the Palace. A carnival parade will travel along entertaining guests.

Street parties and celebrations will be held up and down the country.

Here’s what’s going on in Calderdale.

You can send us details about and photos from your Queen celebrations by emailing [email protected]

Calderdale district:

- Children can take part in workshops including create a crown and royal selfies at Woolshops Shopping Centre on Saturday.

- The bells of Halifax Minster will ring out over the town ahead of a special service on Sunday at 3pm. The service will be attended by various dignitaries including The Vice-Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire Tim Hare, the High Sheriff of West Yorkshire Chris Brown and the Mayor of Calderdale Coun Howard Blagbrough. The celebratory event features Sikh drummers, the Town Crier and performers from Ryburn Dance Academy.

- The deputy Mayor and consort of Calderdale will be attending a regal assembly held by St John’s CE Primary School in Rishworth, whilst the Mayor and Mayoress visit Rastrick Independent School’s garden party today.

- Calderdale Music Trust will be holding a celebratory concert at The Victoria Theatre today, with live music and performances. Various schools will perform on the day. Children can then enjoy a regal picnic and tea party.

- Clifton Village Association will be holding a royal party weekend today, Saturday and Sunday. There will be a scarecrow competition, proms concert, picnic, stalls, bake off competition and various games.

- On Saturday, Mount Zion Methodist Heritage Chapel will be throwing a birthday street party where families can enjoy food, drink and activities throughout the day.