On this day in 2000, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother became the first member of the Royal Family to reach her centenary. The Queen Mother was among 12 centenarians around the country celebrating their birthdays the same day. More than 40,000 well-wishers gathered in the Mall to watch the Queen Mother and her two daughters step onto the balcony of the Palace, closely followed by the rest of the Royal Family. Earlier that morning the Queen's personal postman, Tony Nicholls, had made one extra special delivery - a hand-written telegram from Buckingham Palace. In addition sacks full of presents and cards had been delivered to Clarence House, the Queen Mother's home in London.
A 21-gun salute was fired from the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle in Scotland, from Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland and from Cardiff City Hall.
At St Paul's Church, in Walden, Hertfordshire, where the Queen Mother was christened nearly a century ago the bells were rung.
At Glamis Castle, in Scotland, where she spent most of her childhood, a special bagpipe redition was played.
And at Glorious Goodwood, a race was especially named after the Queen Mother to mark her birthday.
And at Glorious Goodwood, a race was especially named after the Queen Mother to mark her birthday.
In the evening the Queen Mother and her daughters, attended a performance by the Kirov Ballet at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden.
The Queen Mother died at Royal Lodge, Windsor at 1515 GMT on Saturday 30 March 2002, aged 101.
