The Queen today led members of the Royal Family in commemorating the 75th anniversary of the start of the Battle of Britain.
The Duke of Edinburgh, the Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of York are among the senior royals who joined the monarch as she watched an RAF fly-past from the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
Outside the palace gates, hundreds of people gathered on the streets as Spitfires, Hurricanes and Typhoons flew over the all.
The event marks the anniversary of one of the pivotal conflicts of the Second World War, which saw valiant British pilots halting Hitler's plans for a German invasion.
The Queen was joined by (from left to right) the Countess and Earl of Wessex, Prince William, Prince Philip, Prince Andrew, the Duke of Kent and Prince Michael of Kent to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain with a fly-past over Buckingham Palace
Commemoration: Crowds gathered outside the gates of Buckingham Palace as three modern Typhoons took part in the fly-past today
The Queen appeared in good spirits as she chatted to the Countess of Wessex, as the Duke of Edinburgh spoke to Prince Andrew
Remaining Few: Battle of Britain veterans Wing Commander TF Neil, 249 Squadron Hurricaines (second left) and Geoffrey Harris Augustus Wellum, 92 Squadron Spitfires (centre) and Wing Commander TM Kane, 234 Sqwuadron Spitfire (second right) attended the fly-past
During the summer and autumn of 1940, 544 pilots died as the RAF fought in the skies above southern England to force back the threat of any invasion by Hitler.
July 10 1940 is widely acknowledged to be the start of the battle, with a series of Luftwaffe raids on shipping convoys off the south-east coast of England.
Today, four Spitfires, two Hurricanes and four Typhoons took part in a fly-past during a special Changing of the Guard, which will be performed by the RAF Queen's Colour Squadron.
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Guests at the event will include six surviving RAF Battle of Britain pilots. It is likely to be the last major anniversary at which members of the famous 'few' will be fit to take part.
Later, the airmen will be joined by royals including the Duke of Edinburgh, the Duke of Cambridge and the Countess of Wessex at a reception and lunch at the RAF Club in Piccadilly, London.
On Sunday, a memorial service will be held at the National Memorial to the Few at Capel le Ferne on the famous white cliffs between Dover and Folkestone in Kent.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, pictured together, look out over the crowds gathered outside the gates of Buckingham Palace
Beneath cloudless blue skies, hundreds of people lined the pavements outside Buckingham Palace to watch the planes fly down the Mall
The monarch, dressed in pink and gold, waved to the waiting crowds as Prince William spoke with the Earl of Wessex, left together
Members of the RAF paraded in front of the Palace ahead of the fly-past, commemorating those who gave their lives for Britain
Two Hurricanes and three Spitfires, two of the aircraft used in the battle, led the fly-past over the Mall towards Buckingham Palace
Prince Michael of Kent, the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust's patron, will take the royal salute during a day which will feature a display by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
The day, which will be attended by eight veterans who are all well into their 90s, will end with a sunset ceremony.
Trust chairman Richard Hunting said: 'Memorial Day is the most important date in our calendar and we are looking forward to again welcoming a number of the Few.
'It is a privilege to have such men amongst us and we know that their presence will make the 75th anniversary of what was arguably the most important battle fought by this country in the whole of the last century a very special day.'
Wearing a bright pink hat, the Queen waved to the crowds as they watched the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace today
The Royal Family turn their heads to the skies as they watch the aircraft fly overhead as part of the commemoration events being held
BATTLE OF BRITAIN: HOW A BRAVE 'FEW' DEFENDED THE NATION FROM GERMAN INVASION
In the summer of 1940, after his defeat of the French, Hitler turned his attention to across the Channel.
Luftwaffe planes began air attacks in early July, hoping to seize control of the skies over England in preparation for a German invasion.
High above the sweeping countryside of Kent and Sussex, the nation's future was placed in the hands of a small band of young RAF fighter pilots.
Some 3,000 airmen were scrambled to defend the shores of Britain in the battle - often taking to the skies in their Spitfires and Hurricanes three, four or five times a day.
Defending the nation: Some 3,000 airmen were scrambled to defend the shores of Britain - taking to the skies in Spitfires and Hurricanes
Day after day, the brave pilots fought off German forces, whose aircraft often outnumbered their own by five to one.
And while many of the pilots were Britons defending their homeland, airmen from European countries including Poland and Belgian bolstered the numbers.
Under the force of the German bombardment, Britain's air defence bent but it did not break.
The RAF claimed victory over the Luftwaffe on September 15 1940 - a day of intense raids that ended in heavy losses for the enemy.
Shortly after, Hitler postponed and then cancelled invasion plans, turning his attention to the defeat of the Soviet Union.
Brave few: High above the Kent and Sussex, the nation's future was placed in the hands of a small band of young RAF fighter pilots
But their triumph came at a cost. A total of 544 RAF pilots lost their lives in the battle.
Scores more from Bomber Command and Coastal Command died as the battle for national survival was waged in the skies during the dark days of the Second World War.
Their bravery was recognised in a now immortal speech by prime minister Winston Churchill, who said: 'Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few'.
This year's 75th anniversary is predicted to be the last at which the remaining members of the 'few' will be fit enough to take part, according to the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust.
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