The UK on Thursday is starting celebrations of a truly unprecedented occasion in some 1,200 years of British royalty: the Platinum Jubilee, the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II ascending the British throne, according to Anadolu Agency.

The four days of celebrations started in London with a birthday parade just before midday and continued with the Trooping of the Color, which also saw the attendance of Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie.

The event was followed by a royal gun salute and traditional balcony appearance of the queen.

The jubilee is also being celebrated across the country with street parties and mini concerts, and from Thursday evening beacons will be lit.

Thousands of people crowded The Mall from early hours of the day to see the celebratory events.

Born April 21, 1926, Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne upon the death of her father, King George VI, on Feb. 6, 1952.

In 2015, she became the longest-serving British monarch ever, breaking the record of Queen Victoria, who sat on the throne for 63 years and seven months.

Elizabeth is the first-ever British monarch to see the platinum jubilee, which means 70 years on the throne.

She is the only female royal family member to have entered the armed forces.

The UK saw 14 prime ministers under Elizabeth’s long reign, from the stately but controversial Winston Churchill to currently embattled Boris Johnson.

Source: Azerbaijan State News Agency