Crowds waved flags and shed tears during the Queen's birthday celebration.

Eastern Daily Press: Celebrating the Queen's 90th birthday at Norwich City Hall. Photo : Steve AdamsCelebrating the Queen's 90th birthday at Norwich City Hall. Photo : Steve Adams (Image: Copyright Archant Norfolk 2016)

Hundreds of people gathered outside City Hall to wish a 'remarkable woman' a happy birthday yesterday.

The church bells rang and opera singer, Emma Nuule, entertained onlookers.

People of all ages waved their Union Flags during the young singer's performance on the top of City Hall's steps.

Ann Watkins, 64, from Attleborough, said: 'We had to come, it is the Queen's birthday and we couldn't go to Windsor, she is an amazing woman, I love her to bits.'

Eastern Daily Press: Celebrating the Queen's 90th birthday at Norwich City Hall.Four year old Devanshi Jain. Photo : Steve AdamsCelebrating the Queen's 90th birthday at Norwich City Hall.Four year old Devanshi Jain. Photo : Steve Adams (Image: Copyright Archant Norfolk 2016)

Another well wisher, Jenny Wenn, 50, from north Norwich, said: 'We are not going to have another 90 year old Queen in our life time, she is a remarkable woman.'

The hall was lit up in red, white and blue.

Many visitors dressed up in the iconic colours and one little girl, Devanshi Jain, 4, insisted on dressing as a princess for Her Majesty.

Crowds rushed to the bottom of City Hall's steps to see the beacon being lit.

Eastern Daily Press: Soprano singer Emma Nuule will lead the Showstoppers Choir Of A Thousand in singing the national anthem. Photo: Steve AdamsSoprano singer Emma Nuule will lead the Showstoppers Choir Of A Thousand in singing the national anthem. Photo: Steve Adams (Image: Copyright Archant Norfolk 2016)

Bill Ewers, 90. from Norwich, had the honour of lighting the beacon - as he too was celebrating his 90th birthday yesterday.

The Queen lit the beacon in Windsor at 7pm, and Norwich followed suit.

Onlookers erupted in applause when the fire leapt from the beacon - one of hundreds lit across the country.

Happy birthday was sang by all and hip-hip-hoorays followed.

Eastern Daily Press: Celebrating the Queen's 90th birthday at Norwich City Hall. Photo : Steve AdamsCelebrating the Queen's 90th birthday at Norwich City Hall. Photo : Steve Adams (Image: Copyright Archant Norfolk 2016)

Brenda Arthur, the Lord Major, read Prince Charles' speech commemorating his mother's milestone.

'Thank you for coming and here in Norwich we do know how to party,' she said.