The Queen has praised the Royal Air Force for its "tenacity, skill and gallantry" as she was joined by senior members of the Royal family at the centrepiece of events marking the force's 100th year.

Standing in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace as she presented the Queen's Colour to the RAF, she spoke of the "remarkable contribution to defence" over the last 100 years.

The largest ever formation of RAF Typhoons then spelt out 100 in the skies above the palace. A total of 22 of the fighter jets took part in the flypast, forming into the numbers, which had served as a surprise for the public and Royal family watching the spectacle.

The Metropolitan Police estimated between 65,000 and 70,000 people lined the streets of central London to see the flypast, it is understood.

It was 100 years ago on April 1 1918 that the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service merged to create the RAF - the world's first independent air service.