LONDON - Queen Elizabeth II and her family marked her official 90th birthday with a parade, a colorful military ceremony and an appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony.

The queen and her husband, Prince Philip, joined a parade Saturday from Buckingham Palace to the site of the Trooping the Color ceremony. Large crowds are expected to mark her milestone and to enjoy the parade, featuring more than 1,500 soldiers and officers and several hundred horses.

Later, the royal couple led the family onto the palace balcony to wave to the throngs as Royal Air Force jets fly overhead.

The festivities continue Sunday with a massive street party in front of the palace.

The queen's real birthday is in April. The official birthday is timed in hope of fair weather.