Dozens of aircraft including the Red Arrows flew over Buckingham Palace to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee

• More than 70 aircraft flew over Buckingham Palace to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
• The six-minute fly-past included the Red Arrows, Apache helicopters, and Typhoons.

More than 70 aircraft including the Red Arrows, Apache helicopters, and Typhoons flew over Buckingham Palace on Thursday to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

The six-minute spectacle comes on the first day of national celebrations as the British public enjoy an extended holiday weekend. It featured aircraft from the Royal Navy, Army, and RAF used by the UK armed forces around the world.

Queen Elizabeth II has been on the throne for an unprecedented 70 years, making her the longest-serving British monarch. She is also the commander-in-chief of the British armed forces.

The four-day celebration, which began on Thursday, started with the Queen's annual birthday parade called Trooping the Colour at Buckingham Palace.

The aircraft fleet took to the skies after Trooping the Colour, starting with Royal Navy Wildcat, Royal Navy Merlin and British Army Apache helicopters.

"The Armed Forces are ready to congratulate HM The Queen on 70 years of duty and dedication," the Ministry of Defence wrote in a Twitter post.

"The @RoyalNavy, @BritishArmy and @RoyalAirForce have had a close relationship with The Queen throughout her reign, and will proudly lead the celebrations this weekend!"

Aircraft used in the UK's response to events in Kabul and Ukraine, and the coronavirus pandemic, featured in the fly-past. Historic aircraft including the Lancaster, three Spitfires and two Hurricanes were also included in the line-up.

The RAF fleet came in two parts, starting with three Hercules followed by an Atlas leading a Globemaster (C-17).

The RAF's Intelligence Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance Force's the Poseidon and the Rivet Joint followed, along with a Voyager, Typhoon and Lightning (F-35B).

The penultimate fly-past saw aircraft in a "70" formation, paying homage to the Queen's tenure.

The Red Arrows brought the spectacle to an end, flying over The Mall and then Buckingham Palace.