FOG BLOG ROYALS LOG: QUEEN ELIZABETH THE II TURNS 96!

Queen celebrates 96th birthday in Sandringham...The Queen was spotted at her Sandringham estate in Norfolk on her birthday

The Queen is celebrating her 96th birthday on Thursday in Sandringham.

Britain's longest-reigning monarch travelled by helicopter to her Norfolk estate, where she is being joined by family and friends.

She is thought to be staying in a cottage particularly liked by her late husband, Prince Philip.

A photograph has been released to mark the birthday, showing the Queen with two ponies and reflecting her lifelong interest in horses.

The picture was taken at Windsor Castle, where the Queen now mostly stays, and shows her with two Fell ponies, who will appear in the forthcoming Royal Windsor Horse Show. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge wished the Queen happy birthday on Twitter, calling the monarch an "inspiration to so many across the UK, the Commonwealth and the world", and sharing a photo of the Queen and Prince Philip with seven of their great-grandchildren.