The Queen has had lunch with 99 people who were born on the same day as her, as part of her 80th birthday celebrations. The monarch described the 70 women and 29 men who attended the Buckingham Palace reception as her "exact twins".
Can you imagine all those 80 year-olds together for a birthday party at the palace? What a treat!
John Forrester, who had travelled from Australia, was rewarded with a seat next to the Queen at the lunch. He described her as the "most natural person in the world", adding that she would "endear herself to anybody and everybody. You look back over your life and say 'when have I bettered it?' Well, when I got married, when I had kids, yes, but beyond that this has to be the top of the tree."
The guests were treated to a three-course lunch, with the main course of filet de boeuf bordelaise being served on a royal silver dinner service normally reserved for state banquets. The solid silver plates, decorated with the Prince of Wales's feathers, garter and coronet, date from 1893 to 1902.
The Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, told her guests "we can and should count our blessings. I doubt whether any of us would say the last 80 years has been plain sailing. But we can give thanks for our health and happiness, the support we receive from our families and friends, some wonderful memories and the excitement that each new day brings."
The Queen thanked her guests for coming, adding: "I hope all those of you who are my exact twins will make the most of our special day on Friday."
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