Beacon lit in Islington for Queen’s 90th birthday

The beacon was lit by Islington mayor Cllr Richard Greening (Image: Archant)

There, Islington’s mayor, Cllr Richard Greening lit a beacon for the monarch as part of the age-old tradition mirrored at sites across the UK and the Commonwealth.

Although the Queen will enjoy celebrations in the UK and abroad throughout the summer, her actual birthday was on Thursday.

The event kicked off with a handheld torch-making workshop for children followed by a short ceremony where the mayor read a message from Prince Charles and lit the beacon. A bagpipe player then played the national anthem. .

Cllr Greening said: “It was a pleasure to lead the celebration of the Queen’s landmark birthday on behalf of Islington residents. Everyone present last night has deep admiration for the Queen’s remarkable record of public service stretching right back to the Second World War.

Anabelle Prin, 11; Kelis Cumberbatch, 4; and Emily Pinkney 14 got the chance to make their own beacons at a special workshop before the ceremony (Image: Archant)

“Her service and commitment to her people in Britain and across the Commonwealth throughout those 90 years has been flawless. A record of service that will probably never be broken.”

A bagpiper played the national anthem after the beacon was lit (Image: Archant)

Kelis Cumberbatch, 4, with her handmade beacon (Image: Archant)