Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee kicks off

Four days of celebrations honouring Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 years on the throne kicked off Thursday.

It began with a display of British military traditions stretching from the days of horse and cannon to the jet age.

The Queen is expected to join members of her family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace later today as 70 planes fly overhead.

During a four-day holiday weekend, neighbourhood organizations are expected to hold street parties around the country.

Thousands of people, some of whom camped overnight, lined the parade route.

The 96-year-old is Britain’s longest-reigning monarch and the first to serve for seven decades.