London ( CNN ) -- Thousands of members of the British Armed Forces took part in a parade and flypast at Windsor Castle Saturday as part of celebrations to mark Queen Elizabeth II 's 60 years on the throne . World War II era Spitfires and Lancaster bombers , helicopters and Tornado fighters were among the 78 aircraft to soar overhead as part of the Queen 's Diamond Jubilee tribute . The flypast also featured Hawks flying in a formation to represent the Queen 's initials and Tucanos flying in a `` 60 '' formation for the length of her reign . On the ground , some 2,500 military personnel from the Army , Navy and Royal Air Force paraded past the Queen , who was colorfully dressed in blue , in a specially built arena in the castle grounds . Speaking at the event , Gen. Sir David Richards , Chief of the Defence Staff , said the three branches of the Armed Forces took great pride in marking the jubilee . `` The Queen 's deep interest and commitment to the Armed Forces has touched many Servicemen and women and their families over the past 60 years , '' he said . `` I know I speak for all those who have the privilege to wear her uniform , when I offer my heartfelt thanks to Her Majesty for her dedication to the Armed Forces , and to our country . '' The Queen was joined in the audience by Prince Philip and other members of the British royal family , as well as more than 3,000 military personnel , veterans and their families . Monarchs from Denmark , Brunei , Lesotho , Norway , Sweden , Swaziland and Tonga were among a number of foreign royals to attend . The military parade and flypast are the first major national event to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee , the Ministry of Defence said . The central weekend of celebrations comes in early June , when the Queen will take part in concerts and a pageant involving more than 1,000 boats on the River Thames . The Queen hosted a lunch on Friday at Windsor Castle to which every monarch in the world was invited , also as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations . Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall also hosted a dinner at Buckingham Palace on Friday evening for some of the royals . Human rights campaigners criticized the decision to include monarchs of countries with a poor record on human rights in Friday 's events . Among those they highlighted were the king of Bahrain , whose government has come under fire for its handling of continuing unrest , and Swaziland 's King Mswati III , accused by critics of enjoying a lavish lifestyle at public expense while his people suffer great poverty . Have you met the Queen or British Royals ? Share your story or photos on iReport !
78 aircraft take part in a dramatic flypast above Windsor Castle . Some 500 members of the Army , Navy and Royal Air Force parade past the Queen . The Queen is taking part in celebrations to mark her 60 years on the throne .