MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Cheers and tributes as Queen Elizabeth turns 80

Prince Charles has led glowing tributes for Queen Elizabeth II, his “darling Mama”, as she celebrated her 80th birthday with a royal walkabout and a private family dinner.

In a deep and resonant voice, the heir to the British throne publicly thanked his mother for the "many wonderful qualities which she has brought to almost an entire lifetime of service and dedication".

"There is no doubt that the world in which my mother grew up and, indeed, the world in which she first became queen, has changed beyond all recognition," he said in a pre-recorded address that set the tone for the day.

"But during all those years she has shown the most remarkable steadfastness and fortitude, always remaining a figure of reassuring calm and dependability -- an example to so many of service, duty and devotion."

"For very nearly 60 of those 80 years she has been my darling Mama, and my sentiments today are those of a proud and loving son who hopes that you will join with me in wishing the queen the happiest of happy birthdays."

Having joined the ranks of Britain's octogenarians, Queen Elizabeth -- Europe's longest serving monarch with more than 50 years on the throne -- showed no signs of slowing down.

She emerged from Windsor Castle, her beloved weekend retreat west of London, with consort Prince Philip to be received by thousands of cheering, flag-waving well-wishers.

The crowd gave her three cheers and joined in song as the Irish Guards military band, in their trademark red jackets and Canadian bear-skin hats, struck up a brassy version of "Happy Birthday".

Dressed in a fuchsia pink overcoat and matching hat, always smiling and even laughing at times, she chatted freely with folk of all ages who lined up behind metal barriers on the main street in affluent Windsor.

The scene underscored how her popularity has endured despite the nasty divorces and scandals which shook the House of Windsor in the 1990s and prompted speculation on how long the British monarchy could survive.

An ITV television news poll this week found that Queen Elizabeth remains the most popular member of the royal family, and that a majority of her subjects want her to reign for the rest of her life.

In the evening, Queen Elizabeth retreated to Kew Palace -- within the Royal Botanical Gardens -- for a private dinner, laid on by Prince Charles, with 25 of her closest family members.

On the menu were organic Scottish smoked salmon, roast loin of venison with a port wine sauce, served with steamed young cabbage and spring vegetables, and chocolate sponge cake.

Prime Minister Tony Blair and his cabinet chipped in to buy the queen a china tea set as their birthday gift to her, estimated to be worth 1,000 pounds (1,780 dollars, 1,450 euros).

The Union Jack flew from government buildings up and down the country, while a traditional annual 21-gun birthday salute was fired at Windsor Great Park -- echoed by a special 41-gun volley in London's Hyde Park.

Born early in the morning of April 21, 1926 as the eldest child of the future King George VI and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, Elizabeth Alexandra Mary grew to become one of the best-loved members of the House of Windsor.

She was just 25, and off with Philip on a visit to east Africa, when she became queen upon the sudden death of her father in February 1952. Her coronation followed in June 1953.

Buckingham Palace says she received tens of thousands of birthday cards and e-mail messages from across Britain as well as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Falkland Islands and other former dominions and colonies in the 53-nation Commonwealth

Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher professed admiration for the queen in an interview.

"The queen takes a tremendous interest in every aspect of life in our country. And she brings to bear a formidable grasp of current issues and a tremendous breath of experience," Thatcher said.

"Her guidance and advice are always most acute, and as prime minister I was privileged to benefit from both enormously. She is truly an inspiration and an example to the whole nation. Long may she rule. Happy birthday, ma'am."

The Queen will continue her birthday celebrations on Saturday night with a private party at Windsor. (Agencies/MP)