What do you get for the woman who has everything? More of what she loves. And in Queen Elizabeth‘s case, that is horses — and lots of them.
The royal family, including Prince William, his wife, Duchess Kate, and his brother, Prince Harry, gathered at Windsor Castle on Sunday, May 15, to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday with a two-hour event that was screened live on U.K. television.
The Queen, who turned 90 on April 21, sat alongside her husband, Prince Philip, to watch the show on the grounds of Windsor Castle, which featured more than 900 horses and 1,500 performers, as well as rare archival footage of the beloved British monarch.
Wearing a sea-green dress with lace overlay and matching jacket by Angela Kelly, the Queen was greeted with a kiss on the cheek by her son Prince Charles, and was joined by Duchess Camilla, Princess Beatrice, Prince Edward and Princess Anne.
While William, 33, and Harry, 31, donned the official Windsor uniform, with red collar and cuffs on their jackets, Kate, 34, wore at $5,995 Dolce & Gabbana lace dress topped with a $99 red Zara blazer. The mom of two accessorized her look with drop diamond earrings on loan from the Queen.
Helen Mirren narrated a segment that took the audience through the Queen’s teenage years, and the great-grandmother appeared to be quite touched as romantic scenes from her 1947 wedding were shown on a big screen.
Other stars taking part in the event included Downton Abbey‘s Jim Carter and wife Imelda Staunton, James Blunt, Kylie Minogue and Shirley Bassey, who ended the show with a performance of “Diamonds Are Forever” followed by “Happy Birthday.”
Prince Charles, who is patron of the celebrations, wrote in a note that “it could not be more fitting that quite a different group which also enjoys The Queen’s unfailing interest and support — horses, of myriad breeds and color — will join the 600 sailors, soldiers, airmen and woman who make up this evening’s celebration…. I can only offer my warmest thanks to all the participants, performers and volunteers taking part in this evening’s Celebration. And I hope you will join me in wishing my mother, The Queen, the happiest of very special birthdays.”
