The Queen, who did not attend Prince Louis' christening on Monday, was at the service along with the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke of York, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.<doc-sep>RAF Centenary: Flypast begins with military helicopters top stories direct to your inbox SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up to receive our rundown of the day'sdirect to your inbox When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. The monarch and the Duchess of Sussex are in for a treat as at around 1pm they will see a formation of 100 aeroplanes, one for each year of the RAF, fly over the iconic balcony. The show marks the largest concentration of military aircraft seen over the capital in recent memory, and was planned the most intricate detail by Wing Commander Kevin Gatland. It will last for nine and a half minutes, and will require all the pilots’ coordination and steady nerves as, despite using different aircraft flying at different speed, they will all have to fly over the palace with a space of 30 seconds between each other. According to Mr Gatland's plan, the 100 pilots will gather hours before the show in the skies above Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk. Then, they will begin to form a long line just south of Ipswich at 12.45pm and head southwest over Chelmsford. Heading further south-west, in the sky above Fairlop Waters, a lake in Redbridge, east London, the formation will start grouping closer together to be ready to fly over the palace. An array of planes, from Second World War Lancaster bombers to the new F-35 Lightning jets, will perform on this special day for the British military. This iconic flypast is not the first event that sees the Queen joined by her new granddaughter-in-law. The Duchess of Sussex has been on a solo trip with her majesty in June, when the pair unveiled the Mersey Gateway Bridge in Cheshire, where she celebrated the launch of the Storyhouse Theater in Chester and attended a lunch at the Chester Town Hall. And Meghan also attended the Queen's Young Leaders Awards on June 27, where together with the monarch and her husband Prince Harry they met great personalities and inspiring young leaders coming from every corner of the Commonwealth. LIVE UPDATES BELOW Thousands are gathered outside Buckingham Palace 2.15pm update: Thousands of people gathered to watch the flypast The Metropolitan Police estimated between 65,000 and 70,000 people lined the streets of central London to see the flypast. One person tweeted: “Phone cameras don’t do it justice, but it was great to see the RAF Centenary Flypast over London today.” Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, Kate Middleton and Prince William on the balcony during the flypast 01.10pm update: The ceremony ends The Queen and the rest of the royal family stepped back into Buckingham Palace after the RAF marching band played the national anthem in her honour. The event was a success: everything went as planned and thousands gathered around the palace admired the RAF in its full force. The aircraft now are set to disperse into three groups. RAF fast jets will fly in a westerly direction, reaching Heathrow at 1:09pm, Windsor at 1:10pm and Maidenhead at 1:11pm before heading back to their respective bases. Large RAF aircraft including the Sentinel R1, Voyager and E-3D will head in a south-westerly direction, passing over Runnymede Memorial at 1:08pm Light training aircraft will head north west over RAF Museum London in Hendon at 1:05pm Jets write '100' in sky to celebrate RAF centenary 01.09pm update: Typhoon and the Red Arrows spice up the show Twenty Typhoon GR4 formed a '100' while flying above the palace. And nine Red Arrows, always a huge favourite among the crowd, flown above London in their iconic diamond formation, ending the flypast. 01.05pm update: Royals enjoy the show Members of the Royal Family are all smiles as they watch the spectacular show from the balcony of Buckingham Palace. Meghan Markle was seen chatting to Prince Harry, while Kate Middleton and Prince William looked stunned at the sky above them. And the Queen seemed to be more than pleased at the display of RAF force. The Royal Family watched the show from the balcony of Buckingham Palace The Queen looked amused while admiring the flypast 01.02pm update: Helicopters are leading the show Helicopters took the lead of the display, flying at about 100mph. They are the slowest aircraft taking part to the ceremony. The fighter jets and strike aircraft placed towards the rear of the group fly at 350mph. Mr Gatland said the biggest challenge he faced when organising the event was to coordinate such different aircraft flying at different speed. 01.00pm update: The flypast over Buckingham Palace begins The most expected moment of this day of celebrations has come: 100 aircraft are about to fly in the sky above Buckingham Palace. Members of the Royal Family are looking up in the air in awe as one airplane after another fly over them. Each aircraft is flying with a space of 30 seconds between each other. The aircraft taking part to the flypast on Tuesday 12.55pm update: The Royal Family is on the balcony Royals reached the palace's most iconic balcony to watch the show, which will take place in minutes. 12.45pm update: Aircraft assembling in the sky Aircraft taking part to the flypast are forming a long line just south of Ipswich, Suffolk, and heading over Chelmsford. They will then head south-west, in the sky above Fairlop Waters, a lake in Redbridge, east London. The 100 aircraft will then group in formation and get ready to fly over the palace with a space of 30 seconds between each other. The RAF Pipes and Drums performing outside the Palace 12.40pm update: The Queen delivers a speech The monarch honoured the RAF servicemen and women with a speech. She said: "The new RAF Queen’s Colour provides an opportunity to congratulate the RAF's remarkable contribution over the last 100 years." She then praised the RAF for "safeguarding freedom and security many part of the world". She later remembered the Battle of Britain, saying: "I remember the Battle of Britainbeing battled in the sky above us and we should never forget the sacrifice." And she also offered an emotional tribute to her father, King George VI, who served in France. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry arrive at RAF Centenary service 12.30pm update: The Queen takes part to the ceremony The monarch was saluted by the RAF servicemen and women. 12.14pm update: Touching moment outside Buckingham Palace RAF servicemen and women carried out a touching ceremony outside the palace. The event saw the consecration of the new RAF Queen’s Colour – a military tradition whereby a Royal recognises the achievements of a regiment or force by the award of King’s and Queen’s Colours, a silk union flag intended as the highest honour which the Sovereign can bestow. 12.00pm update: The Parade arrives at Buckingham Palace The parade has arrived at Buckingham Palace, one hour before the flypast. The main event of the RAF100 celebrations will last nine and a half minutes. After having flown above Buckingham Palace, the aircraft will disperse into three groups. The parade started at 11.25 and arrived at Buckingham Palace at 12pm 11.40am update: The parade has begun The parade started at 11.25am and is set to march up The Mall. The joyful event, which will include RAF servicemen and women from all branches, ranks and trades, has been organised by Wing Commander Paul Crook. He said: “The early morning parade rehearsal in London comes after week-long preparations at RAF Halton for tomorrow’s parade. "It’s been a privilege to be responsible for preparing our airmen. "We have a proud 100-year record of serving the nation and I’m sure that the RAF100 parade will be special moment for all involved.” RAF 100: The royals celebrate Royal Air Force centenary Wed, July 11, 2018 RAF 100: The royals attend a Royal Air Force service at Westminster Abbey and then flypast at Buckingham Palace to mark the RAF centenary. Play slideshow REUTERS 1 of 68 RAF 100: The royals celebrate Royal Air Force centenary 11.35am update: Meghan caught crossing her legs AGAIN The Duchess of Sussex was caught crossing her legs at the knees, forgetting about the iconic "Duchess slant". Meghan has previously been slammed for crossing her legs at the Queen's Young Leaders Awards on June 27. The "Duchess slant", perfected by Kate Middleton, wants royals to clasp their knees and ankles together. RAF Centenary: Queen arrives for service at Westminster Abbey The Queen and Meghan Markle will watch the show put on by RAF daredevils 11.16am update: The ceremony ends following the national anthem, God Save The Queen People attending the service stood up to sing the national anthem - God Save The Queen. The service ended at 11.15am. The Queen left Westminster Abbey and headed to Buckingham Palace, ahead of the flypast. 11.11am update: Kate honours the RAF with stunning brooch The Duchess of Cambridge is wearing a splendid diamond and ruby brooch that was given her as a gift from the RAF when she became an Honorary Air Commandant back in 2015. She pinned it to the front of her baby blue Alexander McQueen coat, teamed with a hat by Sean Barrett. Members of the Royal Family singing at the ceremony 11.10am update: Meghan and Harry share the look of love The Duke and Duchess of Sussex shared a touching moment inside Westminster Abbey. The pair of newlyweds were pictured smiling at each other and sharing a look of love. Meghan Markle and husband Prince Harry were pictured sharing the look of love 11.02am update: The Queen praised for her special "connection" with the RAF Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen spoke about the importance of the day, with many members of the Royal Family attending. He said: “It is a tremendous coming together of a whole range of RAF capabilities, and a celebration of the quality of our people, and it is that connection between the Royal Air Force and her Majesty the Queen. “Her Majesty the Queen has known all of the chief of the air staff, there have been 31 of us, she has known all of them. “Her father, his Majesty King George VI, was one of the founder members of the Royal Air Force. “I think there is a very close personal connection as well as clearly that important connection between the Sovereign and her armed forces.” 10.55am update: The service begins The service at Westminster Abbey began. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, addressed the congregation and said the RAF has in its first 100 years been a decisive factor in serving the country, as well as being key in protecting democracy and freedom. The Queen at Westminster Abbey 10:45am update: Theresa May is speaking at the ceremony The service is about to begin and is being attended by both royals and politicians. Theresa May is now speaking, reminding the importance of the RAF and honouring those who sacrificed their lives for Britain. She arrived at Westminster Abbey at approximately 10.20am. Jeremy Corbyn, Labour party leader, has also been pictured at the event. Nicola Sturgeon is also attending. Theresa May spoke at the service at Westminster Abbey 10.30am update: Royal family arrive at Westminster Abbey Several members of the Royal Family have arrived at Westminster Abbey for the service, which is part of the celebrations marking 100 years of the RAF. Kate Middleton, despite being on a maternity leave following the birth of little Prince Louis in April, is taking part to the service. Her husband Prince William, Meghan Markle, Prince Harry and the Queen are also attending. More than 2,200 people are at Westminster Abbey for the service. The Queen is attending the service at Westminster Abbey 10.20am update: What aircraft will fly in the flypast<doc-sep>
The Royal Air Force will be celebrating its 100th anniversary in style on Tuesday 10th July, with a very special flypast event. In fact, 100 war planes will be flying over London to mark the milestone, and it's sure to make for a pretty incredible spectacle. The RAF 100 flypast event will see jets, helicopters and plenty more aircraft flying over the English capital, going over Buckingham Palace at 1pm, where the Queen , Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall and other members of the royal family will be waiting to witness the historic moment. Of course with 100 planes flying in UK air space, Buckingham Palace's balcony won't be the only vantage point to catch all of the action - there are plenty of spots to catch all of the action. We take a look at some of the best spots in London and across the UK for catching a glimpse of the once-in-a-lifetime air show. Can't make it to London? You can also catch all of the action on BBC One which will be offering live coverage from 9.30am through to 1.20pm. (Image: Getty Images Europe) (Image: https://www.raf.mod.uk/raf100/) The Mall and Buckingham Palace If you want to be in the heart of the action, then head to The Mall where the RAF will be hosting a very special parade kicking off at 11.25am. And because you'll be right by Buckingham Palace, you'll be able to see the 100 planes as they fly over the landmark at 1pm, not to mention the nine Red Arrows expected to make an appearance shortly after. (Image: PA) London Southbank Head down riverside towards Waterloo Bridge and you should be able to catch a glimpse of the spectacle as it makes its way towards Buckingham Palace. Victoria Park Head to the most westerly points of Victoria Park and you could potentially spot the aircraft formations, although this won't be directly part of the flypast route. (Image: RAF / MOD) East London Before reaching Buckingham Palace the aircraft will be flying over East London across the likes of Leyton, Hackney, Bethnal Green, Shoreditch and the City, so if you're out and about in those areas you might be able to spot the planes. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is also on the list so it's worth heading down to the surrounding areas ahead of time to secure a viewing spot. Wimbledon After flying over The Mall, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will pass near Wimbledon - ideal for those who are already heading down there to catch the tennis! (Image: PA) Viewing spots outside of London Surrey After the presentation, some of the aircraft will be flying over a host of Surrey spots. For example, helicopters will continue their journey on over Banstead, while transport aircraft will be flying over Runnymede. Heathrow Airport Some of the Fast Jets will pass over Heathrow shortly after the demonstration - in fact, airport operations are being halted for 20 minutes as part of the event. (Image: Getty Images Europe) Hendon Prefect, Tuscano and Shadow jets will be flying to Hendon once the presentation is over. Windsor According to the official route map , some of the aircraft formations will make their way towards Maidenhead, flying over Windsor en route. Ipswich If you want to catch a glimpse of the aircraft before the Queen, then head west of Ipswich around 12.45 when the planes will begin their formation, travelling towards Colchester.