The Queen commemorates 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain at Buckingham Palace

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The Queen led members of the Royal Family in commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain
Duke of Edinburgh and Duke of Cambridge joined the monarch to watch an RAF fly-past from Buckingham Palace
Guests at the event included six pilots who defended the nation against German invasion in the summer of 1940
The veterans are being honoured at a reception and lunch at the RAF Club ahead of a memorial day on Sunday

Published: 05:49 EST, 10 July 2015 | Updated: 14:18 EST, 10 July 2015

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The Queen today led members of the Royal Family in commemorating the 75th anniversary of the start of the Battle of Britain.

The Duke of Edinburgh, the Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of York were among the senior royals who joined the monarch as she watched an RAF fly-past from the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

In the courtyard below, six veterans of the pivotal conflict looked to the sky as Spitfires and Hurricanes - two of the aircraft they used to defeat the Luftwaffe - flew in formation over the Mall. The aircraft were joined by their modern counterparts, Typhoon jets, which produced a deafening roar.

Meanwhile, outside the palace gates, hundreds of people gathered on the streets to witness the stunning display and remember the glorious Few who valiantly halted Hitler's plans for a German invasion.

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The Queen was joined by (from left to right) the Countess and Earl of Wessex, Prince William, Prince Philip, Prince Andrew, the Duke of Kent and Prince Michael of Kent to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain with a fly-past over Buckingham Palace

Commemoration: Crowds gathered outside the gates of Buckingham Palace as three modern Typhoons took part in the fly-past today

The Queen appeared in good spirits as she chatted to the Countess of Wessex, as the Duke of Edinburgh spoke to Prince Andrew

Remaining Few: Battle of Britain veterans Wing Commander Tom Neil, 249 Squadron Hurricanes (second left), Geoffrey Harris Augustus Wellum, 92 Squadron Spitfires (centre) and Wing Commander TM Kane, 234 Squadron Spitfire (second right) attended the fly-past

In the summer of 1940, after defeating the French, Hitler turned his attention across the Channel. Luftwaffe planes began air attacks in early July, hoping to seize control of the skies over England in preparation for a German invasion.

High above the sweeping countryside of Kent and Sussex, the nation's future was placed in the hands of a small band of young RAF fighter pilots. Some 3,000 of them fought - day-in, day-out - until victory was declared over the Luftwaffe in September. But it came at a cost; 544 lost their lives.

Today, six veterans of the conflict, now all believed to be in their 90s, watched the fly-past from the courtyard of the palace. Wing Commander TF Neil, Geoffrey Harris Augustus Wellum and Wing Commander TM Kane, were among those invited to the display.

It is likely to be the last major anniversary at which members of the famous 'Few' will be fit to take part.

Later the RAF Club in London's Piccadilly hosted a lunch for the airmen and members of the royal party, including the Duke of Edinburgh and Prince William. The Queen remained at Buckingham Palace where she held audiences.

Geoffrey Wellum, 93, who now lives in Mullion Cove, Cornwall, was a 19-year-old Spitfire pilot with 92 Squadron in 1940, and was credited with shooting down at least three enemy aircraft and damage several others.

Incredible Battle of Britain anniversary fly-past over London

HONOURING OUR VETERANS: ROYALS MEET WITH VALIANT AIRMEN WHO DEFENDED BRITISH SHORES

This afternoon, six Battle of Britain veterans joined members of the Royal Family for a lunch and reception at the RAF Club in London's Piccadilly.

The airmen, all of whom risked their lives defending Britain from a German invasion, were pictured speaking to the royals alongside their families.

Veteran Flying Officer Ken Wilkinson was seen sharing a joke with Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, as Prince Philip was presented a book by Wing Commander Tom Neil before the group sat down for lunch.

Meanwhile, Prince William was photographed speaking to Geoffrey Wellum, 93, who was a 19-year-old Spitfire pilot with 92 Squadron in 1940.

Mr Wellum, who now lives in Mullion Cove, Cornwall, was credited with shooting down at least three enemy aircraft and damaging several others.

Speaking at the event today, Mr Wellum said it was a 'great privilege' to have been invited.

'If we had not of prevailed in 1940 we would not have been able to watch the fly past,' he said. 'At the time we didn't realise the Germans would be putting in this tremendous effort - they meant business and were serious about it.

'It was a very hectic time, in fact it was madly war. But at the age of 19, flying spitfires in combat you don't think about what might happen to you, all you know is that you've got to stop them.'

Mr Wellum, who is vice-chairman of the Battle of Britain Association, stressed they were supported by the ground crews and civilians who endured the bombing.

Honoured: (top row left to right) Duke of Gloucester, Princess Alexandra, Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Wessex, Countess of Wessex, Duke of Kent, (bottom row left to right) Wing Commander Terence Kane, Flying Officer Ken Wilkinson, Squadron Leader Tony Pickering, Chief of the Air Staff Sir Andrew Pulford, Duke of Edinburgh, Wing Commander Paul Farnes, Pilot Geofrey Wellum, Wing Commander Tom Neil

The Duke of Cambridge meets veteran pilot Geoffrey Wellum (left) during a pre-lunch reception at the RAF Club in London today

The Countess of Wessex with Flying Officer Ken Wilkinson during a reception to honour Battle of Britain veterans

The Duke of Edinburgh is presented a book by Wing Commander Tom Neil during the reception, held after the fly-past

He said: 'It's a great privilege to be here, if we had not of prevailed in 1940 we would not have been able to watch the fly past. At the time we didn't realise the Germans would be putting in this tremendous effort - they meant business and were serious about it.

'It was a very hectic time, in fact it was madly war. But at the age of 19, flying spitfires in combat you don't think about what might happen to you, all you know is that you've got to stop them.'

Mr Wellum, who is vice-chairman of the Battle of Britain Association, stressed they were supported by the ground crews and civilians who endured the bombing.

Their efforts were today commemorated with the fly-past. Four Spitfires, two Hurricanes and four Typhoons took part in the display during a special Changing of the Guard, which was performed by the RAF Queen's Colour Squadron.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, pictured together, look out over the crowds gathered outside the gates of Buckingham Palace

Beneath cloudless blue skies, hundreds of people lined the pavements outside Buckingham Palace to watch the planes fly down the Mall

The monarch, dressed in pink and gold, waved to the waiting crowds as Prince William spoke with the Earl of Wessex, left together

Veterans Wing Commander TF Neil, 249 Squadron Hurricaines (left) and Geoffrey Harris Augustus Wellum, 92 Squadron Spitfires (right)

Spectacle: Two Hurricanes and three Spitfires, left, flew in formation to lead the fly-past, ahead of another Spitfire and a modern Typhoon

Members of the RAF paraded in front of the Palace ahead of the fly-past, commemorating those who gave their lives for Britain

The Queen smiled at the crowd below as they gathered to watch the fly-past with Prince Philip, dressed in military regalia, by her side

Battle of Britain veterans were joined by their families and serving members of the RAF to watch the fly-past over central London

Squadron Leader Duncan Mason, from RAF Coningsby, who led the flypast in a Spitfire, said: 'For us, taking part today was an incredible honour.

'Events like these don’t often happen, but today gave us – the RAF and the nation – the opportunity to commemorate and recognise those extraordinary feats 75 years ago.

'Knowing six Battle of Britain veteran pilots were watching us flying the same aircraft they won the battle in was humbling and I hope we did them proud.'

The enhanced Changing of the Guard ceremony also involved ten military standards of Battle of Britain squadrons still serving in the RAF, and featured music from the RAF Central Band and RAF Regiment Band.

The royal family watch as the Queen's Colour Squadron performed the rare Feu de Joie - a celebratory cascade of rifle fire given as a salute

Hundreds gathered on the streets outside Buckingham Palace to watch two Hurricanes and three Spitfires flying in formation

The fly-past display took place during a special Changing of the Guard, which was performed by the RAF Queen's Colour Squadron

A few minutes after the last plane had flown over the palace, The Queen's Colour Squadron performed the rare Feu de Joie, or Fire of Joy - a celebratory cascade of rifle fire given as a salute.

The national anthem was played and there was also three cheers for the Queen, led by Warrant Officer Clive Martland.

On Sunday, a memorial service will be held at the National Memorial to the Few at Capel le Ferne on the famous white cliffs between Dover and Folkestone in Kent.

SPITFIRES, HURRICANES AND TYPHOONS: HISTORY OF THE AIRCRAFT THAT TOOK TO THE SKIES IN TODAY'S FLY-PAST

Military history: Two Hurricanes and three Spitfires today

The Spitfire

When Luftwaffe commander Hermann Göring asked his flying ace Adolf Galland what he needed to win the Battle of Britain, he replied: 'A squadron of Spitfires.'

Capable of reaching speeds of up to 378mph, the plane was so feared by the Luftwaffe that many Nazi crews claimed to have been shot down by one when they had really been downed by the slower, more numerous, Hurricane.

More than 20,000 Spitfires were built in 24 different marks. It first flew in the RAF in 1938 and was retired by 1957 and its designer, RJ Mitchell, only lived long enough to see the prototype fly in 1937.

The first plane shot down by a Spitfire was an RAF Hurricane in 1939 in a friendly fire incident known as the Battle of Barking Creek.

Spitfires were occasionally painted pink to blend in with the sunset and sunrise when used for low-level reconnaissance flights.

Four Spitfires took part in today's fly-past.

The Hurricane

While the Spitfire is the aircraft most associated with the Battle of Britain, without the Hawker Hurricane, the RAF would have probably lost the fight, because there were simply not enough Spitfires emerging from the aircraft factories and into the squadrons.

In the national struggle for survival, the older and slower Hurricane dominated the front line.

According to the Air Ministry's own figures, for every two Luftwaffe planes brought down by the Spitfires, three were shot down by Hurricanes.

Once the Hurricane had made a successful first flight on November 6, 1935 - five months ahead of the Spitfire's first trip - the Air Ministry relented and placed an order for 600.

The first operational Hurricanes went into service with 111 Squadron in December 1937, just as the drumbeat of war was echoing across Europe.

Altogether, 14,533 Hurricanes were built, the last in August 1944. Two Hurricanes took part in the fly-past today.

The Typhoon

The Hawker Typhoon was the first fighter that could carry two 1,000lb bombs and was equipped with four 20mm cannons. As a result, it was very effective as a train destroyer.

With a top speed of just over 400mph, the Typhoon formed part of the 2nd Tactical Air Force that extensively supported ground operations during the D-Day landings on June 6 1944.

The alternating black and white invasion stripes were painted on the fuselages and wings of all RAF and Allied aircraft ahead of the landings to increase recognition by friendly forces.

But it was four Eurofighter Typhoons - the Hawker Typhoon's modern counterpart - that took to the skies today.

The updated version is powered by two Eurojet EJ200 turbojets and can reach Mach 1.8, flying at up to 55,000ft (16,764m).

Then and now: A Hawker Typhoon in action, left, and its modern counterpart, the Eurofighter Typhoon in today's fly-past, right

Wearing a bright pink hat, the Queen waved to the crowds as they watched the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace today

The Royal Family turn their heads to the skies as they watch the aircraft fly overhead as part of the commemoration events being held

Formation: Two Hurricanes and three Spitfires were photographed flying above the Mall, where hundreds had gathered for the display

Royal Family mark 75th anniversary of Battle of Britain

Prince Michael of Kent, the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust's patron, will take the royal salute during a day which will feature a display by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. The day, which will be attended by eight veterans who are all well into their 90s, will end with a sunset ceremony.

Trust chairman Richard Hunting said: 'Memorial Day is the most important date in our calendar and we are looking forward to again welcoming a number of the Few.

'It is a privilege to have such men amongst us and we know that their presence will make the 75th anniversary of what was arguably the most important battle fought by this country in the whole of the last century a very special day.'

BATTLE OF BRITAIN: HOW A BRAVE 'FEW' DEFENDED THE NATION FROM GERMAN INVASION

In the summer of 1940, after his defeat of the French, Hitler turned his attention to across the Channel.

Luftwaffe planes began air attacks in early July, hoping to seize control of the skies over England in preparation for a German invasion.

High above the sweeping countryside of Kent and Sussex, the nation's future was placed in the hands of a small band of young RAF fighter pilots.

Some 3,000 airmen were scrambled to defend the shores of Britain in the battle - often taking to the skies in their Spitfires and Hurricanes three, four or five times a day.

Defending the nation: Some 3,000 airmen were scrambled to defend the shores of Britain - taking to the skies in Spitfires and Hurricanes

Day after day, the brave pilots fought off German forces, whose aircraft often outnumbered their own by five to one.

And while many of the pilots were Britons defending their homeland, airmen from European countries including Poland and Belgian bolstered the numbers.

Under the force of the German bombardment, Britain's air defence bent but it did not break.

The RAF claimed victory over the Luftwaffe on September 15 1940 - a day of intense raids that ended in heavy losses for the enemy.

Shortly after, Hitler postponed and then cancelled invasion plans, turning his attention to the defeat of the Soviet Union.

Luftwaffe air raid during Battle of Britain

Brave few: High above the Kent and Sussex, the nation's future was placed in the hands of a small band of young RAF fighter pilots

But their triumph came at a cost. A total of 544 RAF pilots lost their lives in the battle.

Scores more from Bomber Command and Coastal Command died as the battle for national survival was waged in the skies during the dark days of the Second World War.

Their bravery was recognised in a now immortal speech by prime minister Winston Churchill, who said: 'Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few'.

This year's 75th anniversary is predicted to be the last at which the remaining members of the 'few' will be fit enough to take part, according to the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust.