UK's Cameron hails 'steadfast' queen on her 90th birthday

WINDSOR, England (AP) — Queen Elizabeth II — Britain's oldest and longest-serving monarch — was celebrating her 90th birthday Thursday with a day at home with the dogs, a short walk to greet well-wishers and a family party, as the nation paid tribute to her service and stamina.

Cameron led tributes Thursday in the House of Commons to the monarch and her "unshakable sense of duty," pointing out that the queen had provided counsel to 12 British prime ministers and met a quarter of all the U.S. presidents in history.

The band of the Coldstream Guards played "Happy Birthday" and royal fans snapped cellphone photos as the queen, clad in pale green, greeted local dignitaries, townspeople and tourists.

Artillery companies fired gun salutes from sites including Hyde Park and the Tower of London, and the bells of Westminster Abbey rang out in celebration.

The queen cradles 11-month-old Princess Charlotte in her lap, while Mia Tindall — 2-year-old daughter of the queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips and her husband Mike Tindal— stands clutching the monarch's black handbag.