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QUEEN CELEBRATES WITH FAIRYTALE BIRTHDAY BASH

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26 JUNE 2006

The Queen was surrounded by colourful characters on Sunday afternoon when she celebrated her 80th birthday with a huge garden party in Buckingham Palace. Her London home was transformed into a land of magic and fantasy as 2,000 lucky children from all around the UK were joined by a roll call of their favourite fictional characters.

Her Majesty found herself in a bit of a pickle when the time came for her to say a few words, though, as her handbag had gone missing with her speech inside. Noddy's old friend PC Plod quickly sprang into action, but when his efforts to retrieve the missing items failed, the cast of the Harry Potter movies was called on to work their magic.

In reality the sovereign hadn't lost anything – she was just playing along with a pantomime-style ruse being staged to entertain the youngsters. "I am delighted to have my handbag back," exclaimed the monarch when it was finally recovered. "I do like happy endings!"

And she wasn't the only one sporting a big smile, as it was plain to see the Countess of Wessex was thoroughly enjoying her conversation with Winnie the Pooh and his friend Piglet. Never ones to miss a good tea party, the Mad Hatter and March Hare from Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, were likewise in attendance, along with Postman Pat, Thomas the Tank Engine, Mary Poppins and the Big Friendly Giant.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Dennis the Menace and his sidekick Gnasher were getting up to mischief, but the Queen's guards took it all in good humour when the two rascals snuck up behind them to join in a royal salute. As for the human guests, who included Jamie Oliver, JK Rowling and Jerry Hall – they were all on their best behaviour.