Queen Elizabeth II smiles as she watches from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the Trooping the Color ceremony.

Queen Elizabeth II smiles as she watches from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the Trooping the Color ceremony. / AP

Huge crowds converged on central London on Thursday for the start of four days of public events to mark Queen Elizabeth II's historic Platinum Jubilee.

At 96, the queen is celebrating 70 years on the throne — the most of any British royal, including her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria.

On Thursday afternoon, Queen Elizabeth appeared with family members on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the Trooping the Color ceremony, and waved to enormous crowds of well-wishers.

Here are some scenes from the day.

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Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, along with Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace as part of the Trooping the Color parade during the queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, along with Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace as part of the Trooping the Color parade during the queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations. / Reuters

People pack the Mall as the British Royal family appears on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the Trooping the Color ceremony in London.

People pack the Mall as the British Royal family appears on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the Trooping the Color ceremony in London. / AP

Fighter jets from Britain's Royal Air Force fly in formation to form the number 70 over a Buckingham Palace balcony following the Trooping the Color parade, as part of Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Fighter jets from Britain's Royal Air Force fly in formation to form the number 70 over a Buckingham Palace balcony following the Trooping the Color parade, as part of Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations. / AFP via Getty Images

The red arrows fly over the crowd as they wait for the royal family to appear on a Buckingham Palace balcony.

The red arrows fly over the crowd as they wait for the royal family to appear on a Buckingham Palace balcony. / AP

Britain's Prince Charles (left), Prince William (center) and Princess Anne (second from right) leave Buckingham Palace on their way to the queen's birthday parade.

Britain's Prince Charles (left), Prince William (center) and Princess Anne (second from right) leave Buckingham Palace on their way to the queen's birthday parade. / POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Members of the British Army's Household Division take part in the Trooping the Color parade in London.

Members of the British Army's Household Division take part in the Trooping the Color parade in London. / AP

Spectators line the Mall as they wait for the Trooping the Color ceremony.

Spectators line the Mall as they wait for the Trooping the Color ceremony. / AFP via Getty Images

The British Army's Household Division Foot Guards march during the queen's birthday parade.

The British Army's Household Division Foot Guards march during the queen's birthday parade. / POOL/AFP via Getty Images

A portrait of Queen Elizabeth II hangs in a shop window in Colchester, England.

A portrait of Queen Elizabeth II hangs in a shop window in Colchester, England. / AFP via Getty Images

Members of Band of the Household Cavalry take part in the Queen's Birthday Parade.

Members of Band of the Household Cavalry take part in the Queen's Birthday Parade. / AFP via Getty Images

Tags: Queen's jubilee  Queen Elizabeth II  United Kingdom  Great Britain