Prince William and Kate hail "inspiration" Queen Elizabeth II on her 96th birthday

Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II is celebrating her 96th birthday at the Duke of Edinburgh's cottage on her Sandringham Estate, in Norfolk.

The Royal family has led the tributes to Queen Elizabeth II on her 96th birthday. The Queen is spending her birthday at a cottage on her Sandringham estate, in Norfolks which her husband "loved".

Her birthday comes during Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee year, which marks her 70th year as the monarch of England. While her birthday celebrations will be low-key the Platinum Jubilee will take place from June 2nd to 5th to coincide with the Queen's official birthday. 

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate, tweeted two pictures of the couple with Her Royal Highness. One of the couple with Her Majesty and another of the Queen and Prince Philip surrounded by their great-grandchildren.

They wrote "Wishing Her Majesty The Queen a very happy 96th birthday today! An inspiration to so many across the UK, the Commonwealth and the world, it’s particularly special to be celebrating in this #PlatinumJubilee year."

The Royal Family Twitter account posted a photograph of Queen Elizabeth II at two years old. The tweet reads "Happy Birthday Your Majesty! Today as The Queen turns 96, we’re sharing this photograph of the young Princess Elizabeth aged 2. Then, in 1928, it was never expected she would be Queen, and this year Her Majesty is celebrating her #PlatinumJubilee - a first in British history."

The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles and Camilla, tweeted "Wishing Her Majesty The Queen a particularly special 96th birthday today, as we celebrate her Platinum Jubilee year."

To mark the Queen's birthday the Changing of the Guard took place at Windsor Castle where the Band of the Coldstream Guards played "Happy Birthday".