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| Version 7 | Version 8 |
|---|---|
| Queen marking RAF's 90th birthday | Queen marking RAF's 90th birthday |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The Queen has said she is "enormously impressed" by the professionalism of the men and women of the Royal Air Force as she marked its 90th year. | The Queen has said she is "enormously impressed" by the professionalism of the men and women of the Royal Air Force as she marked its 90th year. |
| She presented new Colours - ceremonial flags - to the service at its largest ceremony for more than 30 years. | She presented new Colours - ceremonial flags - to the service at its largest ceremony for more than 30 years. |
| The presentation was made jointly to the RAF and its ground fighting force, the Royal Air Force Regiment, at RAF Fairford, in Gloucestershire. | The presentation was made jointly to the RAF and its ground fighting force, the Royal Air Force Regiment, at RAF Fairford, in Gloucestershire. |
| The Queen then watched a flypast of 90 RAF aircraft, the largest since 1990. | |
| Ealier she told 5,000 guests and 64 squadrons is was the fifth time she had presented the RAF Colours. | |
| Let my Colours be an emblem of your achievement The Queen | Let my Colours be an emblem of your achievement The Queen |
| She told them they should be "immensely proud" of their work but that she knew it came at "great cost" to individuals killed or injured in action, and their families. | She told them they should be "immensely proud" of their work but that she knew it came at "great cost" to individuals killed or injured in action, and their families. |
| She urged them to "protect my Colours" and "let them be an emblem of your achievement". | She urged them to "protect my Colours" and "let them be an emblem of your achievement". |
| Colours are awarded by a sovereign every 15 years to mark a service's achievements. | Colours are awarded by a sovereign every 15 years to mark a service's achievements. |
| Friday's event is the largest since a Silver Jubilee review in 1977 | Friday's event is the largest since a Silver Jubilee review in 1977 |
| Group Captain Tony Barmby, the event's project officer, said: "For most RAF personnel, involvement in such a parade is a once-in-a-career experience." | Group Captain Tony Barmby, the event's project officer, said: "For most RAF personnel, involvement in such a parade is a once-in-a-career experience." |
| He added: "I'm very proud to have the chance to play a part." | He added: "I'm very proud to have the chance to play a part." |
| The Queen's Colours were last presented to the Royal Air Force in the UK at RAF Marham, Norfolk, in 1993. | The Queen's Colours were last presented to the Royal Air Force in the UK at RAF Marham, Norfolk, in 1993. |
| Friday's event is the largest staged since the Queen conducted a Silver Jubilee review of the air force at RAF Finningley in South Yorkshire in 1977. | Friday's event is the largest staged since the Queen conducted a Silver Jubilee review of the air force at RAF Finningley in South Yorkshire in 1977. |
| The 90th anniversary celebrations began with a royal salute and a flypast by four Typhoons from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. | The 90th anniversary celebrations began with a royal salute and a flypast by four Typhoons from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. |
| The Queen's Colour Squadron (63 Squadron RAF Regiment) is escorting the Queen's Colours along with other Royal Air Force Regiment squadrons and 34 Squadron RAF Regiment. | The Queen's Colour Squadron (63 Squadron RAF Regiment) is escorting the Queen's Colours along with other Royal Air Force Regiment squadrons and 34 Squadron RAF Regiment. |
| The event marks the start of the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, which will open to the public on Saturday. | |