With a smile and a wave from the balcony of Buckingham Palace, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother yesterday watched thousands of people in London sing a rousing chorus of "Happy Birthday" as she celebrated her centenary year, joined by three generations of her family.
On a sunny summer morning, The Mall was filled with 40,000 well-wishers from across Britain and around the world. Television stations devoted live coverage to an event described by the British newspapers as "one special day", but in fact it has been several special days when one counts the number of birthday parties held this year.
Shortly before midday, the Queen Mother, dressed in her familiar ensemble of blue chiffon, swept out of her London home, Clarence House, down The Mall in an open carriage decked with blue and gold flowers - representing her racing colours - with her grandson, Prince Charles, by her side. She waved to the crowd and theywaved back holding up their Union Jacks. As the open carriage went past the Victoria Memorial at the top of The Mall and through the gates of Buckingham Palace - with the Grenadier Guards playing the National Anthem - there was a pause in the proceedings.
Then, a few minutes later, the Queen Mother came out onto the balcony with Queen Elizabeth, Prince William and other members of the British royal family. And as the Grenadier Guards on the forecourt below struck up a jolly "Happy Birthday", it was the cue for the thousands of people outside the palace gates to join in.
And for a little while, as the huge crowds cheered and the royal family waved from the balcony, it was similar to the joyous scenes after the Second World War when the Queen Mother, then Queen, rejoiced with her family and the nation at the end of a bitter conflict.
For one woman from Ohio, the Queen Mother's long life was an inspiration. "It is just so wonderful to think that she has lived through all of the important events of the last 100 years," said Nancy Baker.
"I was determined to come here today because we just don't have anything like this at home and everyone here is so friendly and happy. We're having a wonderful time."
In a taped message from the Prime Minister, Mr Blair , he praised the Queen Mother's "sense of obligation to others" and her "immense understanding." Earlier, the Cabinet Office Minister, Dr Mo Mowlam, again risked public rebuke when she said there should be a public debate on whether Britain should become a republic.
Dr Mowlam, who was criticised in June when she said the royal family should move out of Buckingham Palace, supported a debate on the monarchy in an interview with the left-wing magazine, the New Statesman, saying: "Well, I hope the media do have it. But it shouldn't be up to a member of the Cabinet to lead. It should be something the press and public do."