LONDON: England Queen Elizabeth II watched as thousands of Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force troops paraded outside her Windsor Castle home on Saturday to mark her Diamond Jubilee.

The parade is part of a series of events to celebrate the queen’s 60-year reign, which culminate in nationwide Jubilee celebrations on a 4-day weekend beginning June 2.

On Saturday, the queen watched with her husband Prince Philip and other members of the royal family from a platform as some 2,500 troops paraded through Windsor Castle grounds and through the town to the sound of six military bands. Windsor castle, 40 kilometres west of London, is one of the queen’s favourite residences and she looked happy as she watched the pageantry.

She then travelled along the parade route in a Bentley, waving to the crowds watching.—AP