London crowds for Queen Mum's 100th

Thousands of people gathered in central London to celebrate the hundredth birthday of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.

Crowds lined the route as she was driven in a horse-drawn carriage from her home to Buckingham Palace, for lunch with her daughter, the Queen, and other members of the royal family.

As she waited for the coach outside her residence, the Queen Mother watched a military band march by, playing Happy Birthday To You.

She was then given a birthday card from the Queen. Ceremonies were also taking place in other parts of Britain and in Commonwealth countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

Many messages of congratulation have arrived from abroad -- including one from President Putin of Russia.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service